Background: Some previous human and animal studies have supported the idea that KDM3A down-regulation might be the main cause of male infertility, especially in nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). The regulatory role of micro-RNAs (miRNA) has been investigated in the development of male infertility. Objective: The expression level of hsa-miR-30a-5p in azoospermia was evaluated to reveal its possible association with the etiology of male infertility. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 30 men with azoospermia (19 of whom had NOA) were selected as the case individuals, and 11 men with obstructive azoospermia (OA) were selected as control individuals. The best miRNA with the strongest ability to target the KDM3A gene was detected via comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. Reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the expression level of hsa-miR-30a-5p. After analyzing the data, the expression level of hsa-miR-30a-5p was compared between men with NOA and men with OA. Results: The findings supported the idea that hsa-miR-30a-5p is the miRNA with the best ability to target the KDM3A transcript. The expression analysis of hsa-miR-30a-5p indicated a significant overexpression (p = 0.04) in men with NOA compared to in men with OA. Conclusion: Hsa-miR-30a-5p was overexpressed in men with NOA compared to in control individuals. Hsa-miR-30a-5p could target the KDM3A transcript and may suppress its expression. Key words: Hsa-miR-30a-5p, Male infertility, KDM3A, Azoospermia, miRNA.

Background: The role of KDM3A and its downstream genes in male fertility has been approved in animal models. Additionally, the expression shrinkage of KDM3A is significantly correlated with human azoospermia phenotype. Aberrant expression of micro-RNAs could mislead spermatogenesis and mostly lead to diverse phenotypes of male infertility. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression level of hsa-miR-27a- 3p in azoospermic men to reveal its possible association with infertility. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 30 azoospermic men, of whom, 19 had non obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and 11 obstructive azoospermia (OA) according to the pathological examinations. Comprehensive bioinformatics investigations were performed securely and hsa-miR-27a-3p was selected afterward. Reverse Transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR) method was used and statistical analysis was performed to compare the expression level of hsa-miR-27a-3p in both OA and NOA individuals. Results: In silico analysis suggested hsa-miR-27a-3p, with its potential binding ability to target KDM3A transcripts. The expression analysis of candidate hsa-miR-27a-3p indicated its significant overexpression in NOA men. Conclusion: The hsa-miR-27a-3p was overexpressed in NOA men compared to OA-control individuals. As a consequence, the overexpressed micro-RNA could downregulate directly KDM3A and indirectly TNP1 and PRM1. Therefore, spermatogenesis could be misled and male infertility could be developed. Key words: hsa-miR-27a-3p, Male infertility, KDM3A.