Research Article

Assessment of miR-125a gene expression in Asthenozoospermia and unexplained infertility compared with control group

Abstract

Background: Male infertility can be caused by a variety of factors, including chromosomal abnormalities, genetic abnormalities, viral infections, varicocele, ejaculatory duct blockage, radiation, chemotherapy, and erectile dysfunction. Aim: Evaluate semen parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers, and miR-125a gene expression in men with asthenozoospermia and unexplained infertility compared with fertile men. Semen samples were collected from infertile patients and fertile controls, and standard semen analysis was performed to assess sperm count, motility, and morphology. In addition, levels of oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), were measured, and the expression of the miR-125a gene in sperm DNA was analyzed. Methods: Patients with Asthenozoospermia and unexplained male infertility who visited the reproductive center at Al-Sadr Hospital in the Najaf Governorate, as well as a control group, had their semen samples taken. The patients with infertility were 36.91±1.2 years old on average. Results: Demonstrated a significant reduction in sperm count, progressive motility, and normal morphology in infertile men compared with the control group. Furthermore, infertile men showed significantly elevated levels of MDA and 8-OHdG, indicating increased oxidative stress and sperm DNA damage. Altered expression of the miR-125a gene was also observed in infertile men, suggesting a potential role in the regulation of sperm motility and male reproductive function. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the important relationship between oxidative stress, sperm quality, and gene expression in male infertility. These factors may serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying male reproductive disorders.

Authors affiliation:

Dhamya Kadhim Sarhan (ORCID): Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa, Iraq.

How To Cite: D.K. Sarhan. Assessment of miR-125a gene expression in Asthenozoospermia and unexplained infertility compared with control group. Current Research in Health Sciences, 4(2):77–82, 2026. https://doi.org/10.58613/crhs4210