Investigation of testicular METRNL and RARRES2 expression in non-obstructive azoospermia

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Male Infertility Research
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Non-obstructive azoospermia is a severe male infertility cause linked to impaired spermatogenesis.
• Obesity and chronic inflammation are implicated in male reproductive dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of adipokines Meteorin-like protein (METRNL) and Chemerin (RARRES2) in non-obstructive azoospermia.
• To compare expression levels in obese versus non-obese patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of testicular biopsy samples from 35 non-obstructive azoospermia patients and 18 controls.
• Analysis of testicular METRNL and RARRES2 mRNA expression.
• Comparison between obese and non-obese non-obstructive azoospermia cases and controls.

Main Results:

• Significantly increased RARRES2 (Chemerin) expression was found in both obese and non-obese non-obstructive azoospermia patients.
• A trend towards higher RARRES2 expression was observed in more severe non-obstructive azoospermia cases.
• A significant inverse correlation between RARRES2 expression and Johnsen score was detected.
• No significant difference in METRNL expression was observed across groups.

Conclusions:

• RARRES2 (Chemerin) expression is elevated in non-obstructive azoospermia, suggesting a potential role in defective spermatogenesis.
• METRNL does not appear to be significantly involved in this condition.
• Further research is needed to validate these findings and elucidate the mechanisms of increased RARRES2 in azoospermia.