Published date: Feb 03 2025

Journal Title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine

Issue title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM): Volume 22, Issue No. 12

Pages: 1015 - 1024

DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v22i12.18067

Tayyebeh Zamani-BadiAnatomical Sciences Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.

Mohammad Karimianmdkarimian@gmail.comDepartment of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.

Javad Amini MahabadiAnatomical Sciences Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.

Atieh RafatmaneshGametogenesis Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.

Hossein Nikzadnikzad_h@kaums.ac.irGametogenesis Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.

Background: Genetic predispositions have been identified as important factors in male infertility. Among the many genes related to male reproductive function, interleukin 6 (IL-6) has emerged as a key player. Despite the growing recognition of genetic factors in male infertility, the specific association between the IL-6–174 G/C genetic polymorphism and male infertility remains an area that needs further investigation.
Objective: This investigation explores the correlation between the IL-6–174 G/C transversion and male infertility.
Materials and Methods: In a case-control study, a total of 314 men who referred to the Kashan Infertility Center, Shahid Beheshti hospital, Kashan, Iran, were enrolled for IL-6–174 G/C polymorphism analysis. The study comprised 163 infertile participants as the case group and 151 fertile men as the control group. Following the screening, 2 ml of whole blood was collected from each participant. Cases were categorized into 3 subgroups based on World Health Organization criteria: (i) nonobstructive azoospermia (n = 42), (ii) oligozoospermia (n = 61), and (iii) asthenozoospermia (n = 60). After DNA extraction, genotypes of the samples at the -174 G/C (rs1800795) locus were determined using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

Results: Our genetic investigation demonstrated a significant association between the GC genotype and male infertility. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between the heterozygous GC genotype and reduced risk of oligozoospermia and asthenospermia. Additionally, the C allele was correlated with a decreased risk of infertility and specific subgroups such as oligozoospermia and asthenospermia.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the IL-6–174 G/C transversion could potentially serve as a protective genetic factor against male infertility.

Keywords: Polymorphism, Genetic, Interleukin-6, Spermatogenesis, Male infertility.

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