Systematic characterization of seminal plasma piRNAs as molecular biomarkers for male infertility

ABSTRACT: Although piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) play pivotal roles in spermatogenesis, little is known about piRNAs in the seminal plasma of infertile males. In this study, we systematically investigated the profiles of seminal plasma piRNAs in infertile males to identify piRNAs that are altered during infertility and evaluate their diagnostic value. Seminal plasma samples were obtained from 211 infertile patients (asthenozoospermia and azoospermia) and 91 fertile controls. High-throughput sequencing technology was employed to screen piRNA profiles in seminal plasma samples pooled from healthy controls and infertile patients. The results identified 61 markedly altered piRNAs in the infertile patient groups compared with the control group. Next, a quantitative RT-PCR assay was conducted in the training and validation sets to measure and confirm the concentrations of altered piRNAs. The results identified a panel of 5 piRNAs that were significantly decreased in the seminal plasma of infertile patients compared with healthy controls. The areas under the ROC curves for these piRNAs ranged from 0.796 to 0.996, suggesting that the diagnostic potential of these 5 piRNAs to distinguish asthenozoospermic and azoospermic individuals from healthy controls was high. In summary, this study identifies a panel of piRNAs that can accurately distinguish fertile from infertile males. This finding may provide pathophysiological clues that are involved in the development of infertility. Fresh samples were collected and stored at -80â??.Total RNA of seminal plasma were extracted and solexa sequencing was performed.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

SUBMITTER: Zhen Zhou 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-78131 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress