Seminal plasma miR-210-3p induces spermatogenic cell apoptosis by activating caspase-3 in patients with varicocele

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of seminal plasma miR-210-3p in the impairment of semen quality caused by varicocele.This study included 102 patients whose semen quality was normal when they were diagnosed with varicocele.A 2-year follow-up for included patients was performed,and they were divided into Group A(semen quality became abnormal)and Group B(semen quality remained normal)according to the results of semen analysis during the follow-up.Semen parameters and seminal plasma miR-210-3p expression were investigated by semen analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,respectively.In vitro experiments with GC-2 cells were performed to explore the role of miR-210-3p in spermatogenic cells.The results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that the level of seminal plasma miR-210-3p in Group A was higher than that in Group B both after 2-year follow-up and when they were diagnosed with varicocele(both P<0.01).Apoptosis and proliferation assays showed that miR-210-3p induces apoptosis of spermatogenic cells by promoting caspase-3 activation.In conclusion,our study indicated that seminal plasma miR-210-3p induces spermatogenic cell apoptosis by activating caspase-3 in patients with varicocele.Seminal plasma miR-210-3p may be a potential biomarker for predicting impaired semen quality caused by varicocele.