Dysregulation Of Sperm Transcripts in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Background: The paternal delivery of viable transcripts by the transcriptionally inert spermatozoa to the oocyte contributes to the transcriptome of embryo prior to activation of embryonic genome. It has also been cited to be involved in critical process related to stress response, embryogenesis and implantation. Sperm with high DNA damage though capable of fertilizing an oocyte, and have been positively correlated with lower fertilization rates, reduced cleavage and rate of blastocyst development, increased embryo fragmentation and impaired implantation.

Objective: To assess the correlation between seminal oxidative stress, DFI and transcript levels in male partners of couples experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)

Methods: Ejaculates were obtained from 75 male partners of couple experiencing RPL and 25 healthy volunteers with proven fertility. Semen analysis was assessed by WHO (2010) criteria. DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (RLU/sec/million sperm) were assessed by flow cytometry and chemiluminescence respectively. RNA was isolated from semen samples, reverse transcribed and investigated by q-PCR analysis.

Results: The mean DFI of male partners of couples with RPL (38.3 ± 5.1) was significantly (P < .0001) higher as compared to controls (27.4 ± 6.4). The DFI in all the patients was seen to be >28 against 6% of fertile controls (P < .0001). The median ROS level was seen to be higher (>25) in 32% of the samples (35.3) as compared to controls (16.7). The correlation between seminal ROS and sperm DFI levels with the dysregulation in the sperm transcript levels is underway.

Conclusion: The non-genomic paternal delivery of these hidden messengers is retained for translation of proteins for early embryonic development. Recent studies focus on the legitimate role of spermatozoal RNAs in such cases. Adoption of various lifestyle measures like yoga and meditation can be used for correcting sperm mRNA dysregulation by normalising ROS values.