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Survivin is a member of the family of apoptosis inhibitory proteins with increased expression level in most cancerous tissues. Evidence shows that survivin plays regulatory roles in proliferation or survival of normal adult cells, principally vascular endothelial cells, T lymphocytes, primitive hematopoietic cells, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Survivin antiapoptotic role is, directly and indirectly, related to caspase proteins and shows its role in cell division through the chromosomal passenger complex. Survivin contains many genetic polymorphisms that the role of some variations has been proven in several cancers. The −31G/C polymorphism is one of the most important survivin mutations which is located in the promoter region on a CDE/CHR motif. This polymorphism can upregulate the survivin messenger RNA. In addition, its allele C can increase the risk of cancers in 1.27-fold than allele G.

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Disruptions of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) may affect male reproductive function. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of three deletions (4977, 7345 and 7599 bp) and two-point mutations (A73G and A3243G) of mitochondrial DNA with male infertility in an Iranian population. In a case-control study, we collected semen samples of 60 infertile men and 60 healthy controls. Detection of the mtDNA deletions and point mutations were performed by long range PCR and PCR-RFLP method, respectively. Our data revealed that 4977 and 7599 bp deletions are associated with male infertility. But, there was no association between mentioned point mutations and male infertility. Our findings suggested that 4977 and 7599 bp deletions of mtDNA may be genetic risk factors for male infertility. However, it is a preliminary study and is presenting data for future comprehensive study for making a clinical conclusion that these deletions are biomarkers for susceptibility to male infertility.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) functions as a main regulatory enzyme in folate metabolism. The association of MTHFR gene Ala222Val polymorphism with male infertility in an Iranian population was investigated by undertaking a meta-analysis and in-silico approach. A genetic association study included 497 men; 242 had unexplained infertility and 255 were healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for genotyping MTHFR-Ala222Val. OpenMeta[Analyst] software was used to conduct the analysis; 22 studies were identified by searching PubMed and the currently reported genetic association study. A novel in-silico approach was used to analyse the effects of Ala222Val substitution on the structure of mRNA and protein. Genetic association study revealed a significant association of MTHFR-222Val/Val genotype with oligozoospermia (OR 2.32; 95% CI, 1.12 to 4.78; P = 0.0451) and azoospermia (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.09 to 6.17; P = 0.0314). Meta-analysis for allelic, dominant and codominant models showed a significant association between Ala222Val polymorphism and the risk of male infertility (P < 0.001). In silico-analysis showed MTHFR-Ala222Val affects enzyme structure and could also change the mRNA properties (P = 0.1641; P < 0.2 is significant). The meta-analysis suggested significant association of MTHFR-Ala222Val with risk of male infertility, especially in Asian populations.

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The genome condensation in the sperm head is resulted with replacing of histones by protamines during spermatogenesis. It is reported that defects in the protamine 1 (PRM1) and/or 2 (PRM2) genes cause male infertility. Located on chromosome 16 (16p13.2) these genes contain numerous unstudied single nucleotide polymorphisms. This study aimed to investigate the association of c.-190 C>A and g.298 G>C transversions that respectively occur in PRM1 and PRM2 genes with idiopathic oligozoospermia. In a case-control study, we collected blood samples from 130 idiopathic oligozoospermia and 130 fertile men. Detection of c.-190 C>A and g.298 G>C polymorphisms performed by direct sequencing and PCR-RFLP methods respectively. An in silico analysis was performed by ASSP, NetGene 2, and PNImodeler online web servers. Our data revealed that g.298 G>C transversion in PRM2 was not associated with oligozoospermia (P > 0.05). Whereas, -190CA and -190AA genotypes in PRM1 gene were associated significantly with increased risk of oligozoospermia (P = 0.0017 and 0.0103, respectively). Also carriers of A allele (CA+AA) for PRM1 c.-190 C>A were at a high risk for oligozoospermia (OR 3.2440, 95 % CI 1.8060-5.8270, P = 0.0001). Further, in silico analysis revealed that c.-190 C>A transversion may alter transcription factor interactions with the promoter region of PRM1. The results revealed that the c.-190 C>A transversion may involve in the susceptibility for oligozoospermia and could be represented as a noninvasive molecular marker for genetic diagnosis of idiopathic oligozoospermia.