Y۱۲۷-AZFb Gene Expression and its Association with Systemic Biomarkers in Infertile Men Undergoing ART

Background & Objective: Male infertility contributes to nearly half of global infertility cases and is often linked to Y-chromosome microdeletions. Beyond genetic defects, thyroid hormones and systemic inflammation influence spermatogenesis and ART outcomes. This study was conducted with aim to evaluate the association between Y۱۲۷-AZFb gene expression and systemic biomarkers in infertile men. Materials & Methods: This case-control study included ۱۲۰ infertile men undergoing ART and ۱۲۰ fertile controls. Serum T۳, T۴, TSH, and IL-۶ levels were measured using CLIA and ELISA. Y۱۲۷-AZFb expression was quantified via qRT-PCR. Non-parametric analyses, ROC curves, Spearman correlations, and logistic regression assessed associations and predictive value. P<۰.۰۵ was considered statistically significant. Results: Infertile men showed lower T۳, T۴, and Y۱۲۷-AZFb expression and higher TSH and IL-۶ (P<۰.۰۵). Y۱۲۷-AZFb correlated positively with T۳ and T۴, and negatively with TSH and IL-۶. ROC analysis demonstrated high accuracy for T۳ (AUC=۰.۹۱۲), TSH (۰.۸۸۰), IL-۶ (۰.۸۵۱), and Y۱۲۷-AZFb (۰.۸۰۳). Y۱۲۷-AZFb dysregulation was strongly associated with adverse ART outcomes (P<۰.۰۱), while logistic regression identified reduced Y۱۲۷-AZFb, low T۳, and elevated IL-۶ as independent predictors of infertility. Conclusion: Male infertility is characterized by thyroid dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and decreased Y۱۲۷-AZFb expression. Integrated assessment of endocrine, inflammatory, and genetic markers which may impair spermatogenic function and is associated with ART outcomes and may aid in risk stratification; however, causal relationships cannot be established. Y۱۲۷-AZFb expression may serve as a prognostic indicator of reproductive success beyond conventional semen analysis.

کلیدواژه ها:

Male infertility ، Y۱۲۷-AZFb ، Thyroid hormones ، Interleukin-۶ ، Assisted Reproductive Technology ، Spermatogenesis