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Circular RNAs: Novel Biomarkers in Spermatogenesis Defects and Male Infertility

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Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of endogenous non-coding RNAs involved in several cellular and biological processes, including gene expression regulation, microRNA function, transcription regulation, and translation modification. Therefore, these non-coding RNAs have important roles in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Male infertility is mainly due to abnormal sperm parameters such as motility, morphology, and concentration. Recent studies have confirmed the role of circRNAs in spermatogenesis, and the expression of several circRNAs is confirmed in seminal plasma, spermatozoa, and testicular tissue. It is suggested that deregulation of circRNAs is involved in different types of male infertility, including azoospermia, oligozoospermia, and asthenozoospermia. In the present review, we aimed to discuss the potential roles of circRNAs in spermatogenesis failure, sperm defects, and male infertility. Due to their conserved and special structure and tissue-specific expression pattern, circRNAs can be applied as reliable noninvasive molecular biomarkers, therapeutic and pharmaceutical targets in male infertility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

    Mohammadreza Saberiyan

  2. Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran

    Elham Karimi

  3. Clinical Biochemistry Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

    Amir Safi

  4. Young Researchers and Elite Club, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, , Najafabad, Iran

    Amir Safi

  5. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Parvaneh Movahhed

  6. Clinical Research Developmental Unit, Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

    Leila Dehdehi

  7. Biology Department, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Nazanin Haririan

  8. Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Koodakyar St, Velenjak Ave, Chamran highway, 19395-4719, Tehran, Iran

    Reza Mirfakhraie

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Saberiyan, M., Karimi, E., Safi, A. et al. Circular RNAs: Novel Biomarkers in Spermatogenesis Defects and Male Infertility. Reprod. Sci. 30, 62–71 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-022-00885-3

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