Correlation between miRNA-122 in semen and fertility in heroin-addicted men

Background: Addiction as a medical problem in the world is developing among young people. Prescription opioid narcotics as the well-known toxins may be involved in the male fertility and Sperm parameters, most noticeably motility, also decrease with the use of heroin. Use of illicit drugs appears to have a negative impact on fertility, though more in-depth research in this area is required to make a clear link. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of heroin on sperm parameters and expression level ofmiRNA-122 in active heroin users. Methods: Semen were collected from 43 healthy men and 24 men who used only heroin for at least 25 months who did not use any drugs and did not suffer from infertility problems. Computer-based analysis, qPCR real-time for assessment of expression level of miRNA-122 were performed to provide the relationship between addiction and semen profile and expression level of miRNA- 122. The differences between groups were determined by independent-samples t-test andMan-Whitney U. The partial correlation and regression analyses were performed between heroin consumption and other parameters. P-value ≤ 0.05 was proposed to be significant. Results: Our finding showed that semen pH, appearance of WBC, sperm total and progressive motility and viability, abnormal morphology, sperm histone-to-protamine transition, and DFI were significant differences in addicted group vs. non-exposed ones (P≤ .05). Real-time qRT–PCR assessment showed that there was a significantincrease in expression level miRNA-122 (P≤ .05). Conclusion: We concluded that heroin consumption affect sperm parameters. In addition heroin may increase mRNA levels..

کلیدواژه ها:

Semen Parameters ، ، Mirna-122 ، Addiction ، Heroin