Altered Profile of Seminal Plasma MicroRNAs in the Molecular Diagnosis of Male Infertility

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Although microRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in spermatogenesis, little is known about seminal plasma miRNAs in infertile men. We investigated the profile of seminal plasma miRNAs in infertile men to identify miRNAs that are altered in infertility; we then evaluated their diagnostic value.

Smoking induces differential miRNA expression in human spermatozoa: A potential transgenerational epigenetic concern?

“…Our data indicates that over 100 miRNAs can be found within human spermatozoa, a number much more in agreement with other studies in murine and porcine spermatozoa, and in humans comparing the seminal plasma miRNA profiles of normozoospermic men with those suffering from asthenozoospermia and azoospermia. 40,46,47 Of the 130 miRNAs identified here, 28 were significantly (p < 0.05, after BH correction) differentially expressed in smokers compared with non-smokers ( Table 2 and Fig. 4).…”

A multi-faceted approach to understanding male infertility: gene mutations, molecular defects and assisted reproductive techniques (ART)

“…Recent studies also reported a significant difference in the concentration of some specific miRNAs in seminal plasma of infertile men [198,199]. For instance, Wang et al, [199], observed that 7 special miRNAs (miR-34c-5p, miR-122, miR146b-5p, miR-181a, miR-374b, miR-509 -5p and miR-513a-5p) are markedly decreased in semen of azoospermia but increased in asthenozoospermia.…”

“…For instance, Wang et al, [199], observed that 7 special miRNAs (miR-34c-5p, miR-122, miR146b-5p, miR-181a, miR-374b, miR-509 -5p and miR-513a-5p) are markedly decreased in semen of azoospermia but increased in asthenozoospermia. They revealed a strong relationship between the seminal plasma miRNAs and male infertility, suggesting that the seminal plasma concentrations of these miRNAs can accurately distinguish infertile patients from fertile controls.…”

“…The large number of identified proteins indicates the complex composition and function of human sperm. Wang et al, [199] identified 4675 human sperm proteins, of which 227 were testis-specific proteins. Approximately 403 different proteins have also been identified from the isolated sperm nuclei, the most prominent among them being the histones.…”

Calcium- and integrin-binding protein-1 is down-regulated in the sperm of patients with oligoasthenozoospermia

“…Such information will not only increase the number of novel biomarkers for molecular diagnostics in infertility, but may also indicate a molecular mechanism underlying the spermatogenetic processes that regulate and control fertility. The molecular basis of male fertility dysfunction is largely unknown; however, several studies have revealed the role of certain genes or miRNAs in the male reproductive system [23,24]. We observed lower expression levels of CIB1 in oligoasthenozoospermia and asthenozoospermia patients than in control fertility patients.…”