Further Insights on RNA Expression and Sperm Motility

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Silva, C (Author) Other; Viana, P (Author) Other; barros, a (Author) FMUP; Sa, R (Author) ICBAS; sousa, m (Author) ICBAS; Pereira, R (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Genes

Vol. 55

ISSN: 2073-4425

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 5 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00W-ZV0

DOI: 10.3390/genes13071291

Abstract (EN): Asthenozoospermia is one of the main causes of male infertility and it is characterized by reduced sperm motility. Several mutations in genes that code for structural or functional constituents of the sperm have already been identified as known causes of asthenozoospermia. In contrast, the role of sperm RNA in regulating sperm motility is still not fully understood. Consequently, here we aim to contribute to the knowledge regarding the expression of sperm RNA, and ultimately, to provide further insights into its relationship with sperm motility. We investigated the expression of a group of mRNAs by using real-time PCR (CATSPER3, CFAP44, CRHR1, HIP1, IQCG KRT34, LRRC6, QRICH2, RSPH6A, SPATA33 and TEKT2) and the highest score corresponding to the target miRNA for each mRNA in asthenozoospermic and normozoospermic individuals. We observed a reduced expression of all mRNAs and miRNAs in asthenozoospermic patients compared to controls, with a more accentuated reduction in patients with progressive sperm motility lower than 15%. Our work provides further insights regarding the role of RNA in regulating sperm motility. Further studies are required to determine how these genes and their corresponding miRNA act regarding sperm motility, particularly KRT34 and CRHR1, which have not previously been seen to play a significant role in regulating sperm motility.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14