Seminal 5'tRF-Glu-CTC as a Biomarker for Oligozoospermia and ART Outcome Prediction

Epigenetic mechanisms influencing sperm production and function are closely linked to male infertility. Among these, tRNA-derived fragments have recently been identified as important modulators of cellular stress responses and gene expression. The purpose of this study was evaluate the potential role of 5'tRF-Glu-CTC in the context of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) outcomes by comparing its differential expression in the seminal plasma of oligozoospermic and normozoospermic infertile men.

Total RNA was extracted from seminal plasma, and 5'tRF-Glu-CTC expression was measured by qRT-PCR. Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was assessed via the TUNEL assay. The results revealed significantly elevated 5'tRF-Glu-CTC expression in the oligozoospermic group compared to the normozoospermic group (15.58 ± 4.34 vs. 12.53 ± 4.99; fold change: 1.692; P = 0.024). Sperm DFI showed a significant negative correlation with both the progressive motile sperm (ρ = -0.537, P = 0.015) and the total progressive motile sperm count (ρ = -0.509, P = 0.026). However no significant differences in DFI was observed between the oligozoospermic and control groups (P > 0.05). Analysis of ART outcomes revealed that male partners of couples who achieved pregnancy had lower mean 5'tRF-Glu-CTC expression and DFI, although these differences did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05).

These results suggest that 5'tRF-Glu-CTC might be serve as a potential biomarker and could play a role in the pathophysiology of oligozoospermia.