فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Background: microRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenous, single-stranded RNA molecules that regulate gene expressionand play a role in various disease states. The let-7 family of miRNAs constitutes an important class of regulatorsfor diverse cellular functions ranging from cell proliferation, differentiation in spermatogenesis. The aim of studyreview the current state of correlation between miR-let-7b expression and sperm parameters, oxidative stress markers,and hormonal levels in Oligoasthenotratozoospermia (OAT) men.Materials and Methods: In the experimental study, RNA was extracted from the spermatozoa of 60 volunteers 30patients with OAT and 30 controls with normal fertility (NOR). After the separating sperms, the expression level ofmiR-let-7b was evaluated by real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The DNA fragmentationindex (DFI) was measured using TUNEL assay technique. Using World Health Organization (WHO, 2010) criteria,sperm parameters were evaluated. Oxidative stress markers, i.e., total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reactive oxidativestress (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as hormonal profile [luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulatinghormone (FSH), testosterone] were determined by ELISA kit.Results: miR-let-7b level was significantly higher in OAT patients than the control group (P=0.008). Correlationanalysis highlighted that sperm parameters (count, motility, morphology, r=-0.863, r=-0.723, r=0.875, respectively,P=0.001), TAC (r=-0.441, P=0.021), and hormonal profile (FSH; r=-0.335, P=0.027, LH; r=-0.246, P=0.034, andTestosterone; r=-0.106, P=0.036) were negatively correlated with miR-let-7b level, but positively correlated with thesperm DNA fragmentation (r=+0.691, P=0.011), ROS (r=0.376, P=0.031), and MDA (r=0.201, P=0.033).Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that miRNA can have a key role in spermatogenesis and might havea diagnostic and prognostic value in men infertility. Changes in miR- let-7b level in OAT patients may be associatedwith the susceptibility and progression of infertility.