Spermatozoal RNA elements in idiopathic infertile males undergoing fertility treatment
Present methods for diagnosing male infertility do not fully address the complexity of sperm. Besides carrying the paternal genetic information, sperm also transport various types of RNAs to the egg. These sperm-derived RNAs may play a role in embryo development, though their exact functions are not yet fully understood. In this research, 47 sperm samples from men with normal sperm count undergoing fertility treatments with donor eggs were examined. The goal was to investigate the relationship between specific RNA segments in the sperm and the development of early-stage embryos (blastocysts). We found that 366 of these RNA segments were closely related to the success rate of blastocyst formation. Some of these segments are connected to genes that are important for key stages of development, such as the formation of the mitotic spindle and the differentiation of certain cell layers in the embryo. Interestingly, 27 of these RNA segments are likely influenced by a group of microRNAs we identified in earlier research as important for development. Their interaction suggests a regulatory mechanism by these microRNAs. This study has identified a detailed list of RNA segments in sperm that vary depending on the man's ability to produce blastocysts. This information could be crucial in enhancing the evaluation of male infertility and may help shorten the time required to achieve pregnancy.