Reduced expression ofCFAP44andCFAP44‐AS1may affect sperm motility and morphology

Abstract

Motility and morphology are two important characteristics of a fertile spermatozoon. CFAP44 gene encodes flagellar protein 44 involved in the formation and function of the flagella and cilia. Long non‐coding RNAs are regulatory elements involved in several processes, including reproduction. We aimed to study the alterations in the expressions of CFAP44 and CFAP44‐AS1 genes in infertile men with asthenozoospermia and terato‐asthenozoospermia. In this case–control study, a total of 105 subjects, including 35 TAZ patients, 34 AZ patients and 35 normozoospermic men, were enrolled. After RNA extraction from spermatozoa samples, quantitative real‐time PCR was performed to compare the expression of CFAP44 and CFAP44‐AS1 between the studied groups. A meaningful reduction in CFAP44 expression and a significant reduction in the expression of CFAP44‐AS1 were observed. Moreover, a positive correlation between both genes' expressions and normal sperm morphology was detected in NZ, AZ and TAZ groups. Also, there was a positive relation between CFAP44 gene expression and sperm motility in AZ and TAZ groups. The expression of CFAP44‐AS1 was positively correlated with sperm motility and morphology. Present results confirm the role of CFAP44 and CFAP44‐AS1 in the motility and morphology of spermatozoon, and deregulation of these genes may contribute to male infertility.

Further Insights on RNA Expression and Sperm Motility

“…Furthermore, Cfap44 − / − male mice also show flagellar immotility, leading to infertility [ 33 ]. A recent study analyzed the expression of CFAP44 and CFAP44-AS1 (an antisense lncRNA of the CFAP44 gene) in infertile men with sperm motility and morphology defects and observed a significant reduction in the expression of CFAP44 and CFAP44-AS1 [ 35 ]. Our results also showed a reduced expression in AZ, specifically in the RPM 15–25% group.…”