MicroRNA expression profiles in the seminal plasma of nonobstructive azoospermia patients with different histopathologic patterns

ObjectiveTo investigate microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in the seminal plasma of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients with different histopathologic patterns and evaluate potential noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers NOA.DesignSequencing validation using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).SettingReproductive center research institute.Patient(s)Thirteen NOA (7 Sertoli cell–only syndrome [SCOS] 6 hypospermatogenesis to spermatogenesis arrest [SA]) 7 normal fertile controls for sequencing, six samples per group validation; 54 (27 SCOS 27 SA) 19 large-sample qRT-PCR analysis.Intervention(s)None.Main Outcome Measure(s)MicroRNA were assessed high-throughput sequencing validated qRT-PCR.Result(s)There 78 overexpressed 132 underexpressed miRNAs 32 up-regulated 90 down-regulated SA compared men normozoospermia. Two one miRNA qRT-PCR, which indicated that results basically consistent. Hsa-miR-34c-5p was significantly lower than controls. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC) hsa-miR-34c-5p 0.979 0.987 SCOS, respectively, AUC 0.799 between SCOS. Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes Genomes pathway enrichment analysis differentially expressed target genes revealed Notch signaling most abundant pathways. Hes5, an effector pathway, higher controls.Conclusion(s)MicroRNA altered differed pathologic patterns. We speculate miR-34c-5p could be a biomarker diagnose distinguish types NOA. may involved pathogenesis To Sequencing (qRT-PCR). Reproductive institute. Thirteen analysis. None. MicroRNA qRT-PCR. There