Title:MicroRNA: A Potential Diagnosis for Male Infertility
Volume: 21
Issue: 10
Author(s): Sedighe Forouhari, Elahe Mahmoudi, Esmat Safdarian, Zahra Beygi and Seyed Mohammad Gheibihayat*
Affiliation:
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd,Iran
Keywords:
Infertility, MicroRNA, miRNA, spermatozoa, testis.
Abstract: Male infertility is one of the major global health problems, in particular, in more than half
of the affected men. Genetic factors are important for identifying men with idiopathic infertility along
with semen analysis. Valid and useful information can be obtained through non-invasive molecular
research. Among these, small single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules of microRNAs (abbreviated
miRNAs) are non-invasive biomarkers with a diagnostic value by regulating the post-transcriptional
gene silence through repression and prevention of the translation process. The association between
various types of male infertility and miRNA regulation changes has been evaluated to understand the
biological function of miRNA and gene targets. Accordingly, further study of the function of miRNAs
associated with reproductive disorders could lead researchers to further understand the molecular
mechanisms of male infertility in order to find effective biomarkers and therapeutic strategies. Therefore,
the present review article aimed at scrutinizing those researches investigating the altered miRNA
expression in testicles, epididymis, and spermatozoa.