Seminal Plasma Transcriptome and Proteome: Towards a Molecular Approach in the Diagnosis of Idiopathic Male Infertility

Abstract

As the “-omic” technology has largely developed, its application in the field of medical science seems a highly promising tool to clarify the etiology, at least in part, of the so-called idiopathic male infertility. The seminal plasma (SP) is made-up of secretions coming from the male accessory glands, namely epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate. It is not only a medium for sperm transport since it is able to modulate the female reproductive environment and immunity, to allow the acquisition of sperm competence, to influence the sperm RNA content, and even embryo development. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an updated and comprehensive description of the main transcripts and proteins reported by transcriptome and proteome studies performed in the human SP of patients with idiopathic infertility, in the attempt of identifying possible candidate molecular targets. We recurrently found that micro RNA (miR)-34, miR-122, and miR-509 are down-regulated in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and oligozoospermia compared with fertile controls. These molecules may represent interesting targets whose predictive role in testicular sperm extraction (TESE) or assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcome deserves further investigation. Furthermore, according to the available proteomic studies, ECM1, TEX101, lectingalactoside-binding andsoluble 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP) have been reported as accurate predictors of TESE outcome. Interestingly, ECM1 is differently expressed in patients with different ART outcomes. Further prospective, ample-sized studies are needed to validate these molecular targets that will help in the counseling of patients with NOA or undergoing ART.

Association between metabolic disorders and seminal plasma miRNA levels: a pilot study

“…The epididymis plays a crucial role in secretion and excretion of epididymosomes which differs from region to region [ 47 , 48 ]. Moreover, the seminal vesicles and the prostate, which produce almost the whole seminal plasma, could also play a critical role in seminal plasma miRNAs profile [ 49 ]. Further studies would be necessary to understand if these miRNAs impact sperm quality and fertility [ 49 ].…”

Non-invasive molecular biomarkers for predicting outcomes of micro-TESE in patients with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia

“…NOA affects approximately 1% of men worldwide (Refs 4–6). Although several underlying causes are known, including chromosomal abnormalities, Y-chromosome microdeletions, cryptorchidism, hypogonadism, viral or bacterial orchitis, chemotherapy/radiation therapy, varicocele, etc., the exact aetiology of most NOA cases remains unclear, which is therefore referred to as idiopathic NOA (INOA) (Refs 7, 8). Exogenous hormone therapy, such as supplementing gonadotropins in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and bromocriptine in hyperprolactinaemia, is typically effective in some NOA cases with hormonal imbalances (Refs 7, 9, 10).…”

Molecular Determinants of Seminal Plasma on Sperm Biology and Fertility

“…Besides, four reviews were published [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], including an up-to-date revision of human seminal plasma factors that affect fertility both at functional and mechanistic level [ 14 ] and also the application of transcriptomics and proteomics in elucidating the molecular markers of idiopathic infertility [ 15 ]. One increasingly interesting topic—exosomes—is also covered to address the necessity of novel diagnostics tools on male infertility [ 16 ].…”