The Expression Levels of Circular RNAs Circ-0113487 and Circ-0113493 Linked to the SPATA6 Gene are Decreased in Men With Terato‐Asthenozoospermia

Infertility has emerged as a significant issue in contemporary society, with its prevalence on the rise globally. According to international statistics, men are identified as the contributing factor in nearly 50% of infertility cases. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) serve as essential functional components within epigenetic frameworks, significantly influencing gene expression and various cellular processes. The involvement of circular RNAs (circRNAs) has been recognized in various human diseases, including those related to reproductive health. In the present study, we aimed to examine the expression levels of the SPATA6 gene and Circ-0113487 and Circ-0113493 in patients with terato‐asthenozoospermia (TAZ) and normozoospermia (NZ) as a control group. The population study included 30 TAZ and 30 NZ patients. The expression levels of the gene and circRNAs were evaluated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The findings of this study indicated that the expression levels of SPATA6 , Circ-0113487 , and Circ-0113493 were significantly lower in the TAZ group than in the control group. Furthermore, the expressions of Circ-0113487 and Circ-0113493 were significantly associated with the expression of the SPATA6 gene. There were also significant positive associations between the expressions of SPATA6 , Circ-0113487 , and Circ-0113493 with sperm motility and morphology. Overall, the results of this study showed the role of the SPAT6A gene in sperm motility and morphology. Also, the identified associations between the expression of Circ-0113487 and Circ-0113493 and the expression of the SPAT6A gene and sperm motility and morphology suggest a regulatory role for these on the SPAT6A gene and consequently an effect on sperm motility and morphology.