MicroRNA-targeting in male infertility : Sperm microRNA-19a/b-3p and its spermatogenesis related transcripts content in men with oligoasthenozoospermia
Objective: To elucidate and validate the potential regulatory function of
miR-19a/b-3p and its spermatogenesis-related transcripts content in sperm
samples collected from men with oligoasthenozoospermia.
Methods: Men presenting at an infertility clinic were enrolled. MicroRNA
(miRNA) and target genes evaluation were carried out using in silico
prediction analysis, Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR)
validation, and Western blot confirmation.
Results: The expression levels of miRNA-19a/b-3p were significantly upregulated and 51 target genes were significantly down-regulated in
oligoasthenozoospermic men compared with age-matched
normozoospermic men as determined by RT-qPCR. Correlation analysis
highlighted that sperm count, motility, and morphology were
negatively correlated with miRNA-19a/b-3p and positively correlated with
the lower expression level of 51 significantly identified target genes.
Furthermore, an inverse correlation between higher expression levels of
miRNA-19a/b-3p and lower expression levels of 51 target genes was
observed. Consistent with the results of the RT-qPCR, reduced expression
levels of STK33 and DNAI1 protein levels were identified in an
independent cohort of sperm samples collected from men with
oligoasthenozoospermia.
Conclusion: Findings suggest that the higher expression of miRNA-19a/b3p or the lower expression of target genes are associated
with oligoasthenozoospermia and male infertility, probably
through influencing basic semen parameters. This study lay the
groundwork for future studies focused on investigating therapies for male
infertility