IL-۶-۱۷۴ G/C transversion might decrease male infertility risk: A case-control study

Background: Genetic predispositions have been identified as important factors in male infertility. Among the many genes related to male reproductive function, interleukin ۶ (IL-۶) has emerged as a key player. Despite the growing recognition of genetic factors in male infertility, the specific association between the IL-۶-۱۷۴ G/C genetic polymorphism and male infertility remains an area that needs further investigation. Objective: This investigation explores the correlation between the IL-۶-۱۷۴ G/C transversion and male infertility. Materials and Methods: In a case-control study, a total of ۳۱۴ men who referred to the Kashan Infertility Centre, Shahid Beheshti hospital, Kashan, Iran, were enrolled for IL-۶-۱۷۴ G/C polymorphism analysis. The study comprised ۱۶۳ infertile participants as the case group and ۱۵۱ fertile men as the control group. Following the screening, ۲ ml of whole blood was collected from each participant. Cases were categorized into ۳ subgroups based on World Health Organization criteria: (i) nonobstructive azoospermia (n = ۴۲), (ii) oligozoospermia (n = ۶۱), and (iii) asthenozoospermia (n = ۶۰). After DNA extraction, genotypes of the samples at the -۱۷۴ G/C (rs۱۸۰۰۷۹۵) 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-۶-۱۷۴ G/C transversion could potentially serve as a protective genetic factor against male infertility.

کلیدواژه ها:

Polymorphism ، Genetic ، Interleukin-۶ ، Spermatogenesis ، Male infertility. ، پلی مورفیسم ، ژنتیک ، اینترلوکین ۶ ، اسپرماتوژنزیز ، ناباروری مردان.