Could miRNAs be Used as Markers for Distinguishing Undescended Testicles From Retractile Testicles

Background: Undescended testicles (UDTs) are common in male infants. Untreated UDT poses risks such as infertility (IF), testicular cancer (TC), and testicular torsion (TT). Retractile testicles (RTs) sporadically ascend from the scrotum. UDT requires early surgical correction, whereas RT requires only periodic follow-up. Differentiating these conditions is challenging, making clinical biomarkers potentially useful. The aim of our study was to examine the use of miRNAs, which are difficult to differentiate, as biomarkers in the differential diagnosis of UDT and RT. Methods: This prospective study included 10 boys with UDT (operated), 9 with RT (followed), and 9 controls. Parent consent and serum samples were collected to evaluate miR-210, miR-34c, and miR-449a expression via real-time PCR. For group comparisons, one-way ANOVA was used for parametric data, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used for nonparametric data, followed by the Dunn-Bonferroni correction for post hoc multiple comparisons. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to analyse correlations. A p value \< 0.05 was considered significant.

Sex

Male

Minimum age

3 Months

Maximum age

18 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Palpable (unilateral or bilateral) undescended testis cases
* Retractile testis cases; physician examinations were performed in three positions (supine, semisupine, standing), followed by a 1-month parental examination (twice daily).
* Healty kids less than 18 years old with palpable two testes palpable in scrotum.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior inguinal/scrotal surgery
* Defective datasets
* Unsuitable serum samples

• BACKGROUNDPizzi G, Groppetti D, Brambilla E, Pecile A, Grieco V, Lecchi C. MicroRNA as epigenetic regulators of canine cryptorchidism. Res Vet Sci. 2023 Sep;162:104961. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.104961. Epub 2023 Jul 20. PMID 37487386
• BACKGROUNDKim EP, Shin JH, Kim WH, Kim GA. Integrated miRNA Changes in Canine Testis and Epididymis According to Age and Presence of Cryptorchidism. Animals (Basel). 2023 Apr 18;13(8):1390. doi: 10.3390/ani13081390. PMID 37106953
• BACKGROUNDElias FM, Nishi MY, Sircili MHP, Bastista RL, Gomes NL, Ferrari MTM, Costa EMF, Denes FT, Mendonca BB, Domenice S. Elevated plasma miR-210 expression is associated with atypical genitalia in patients with 46,XY differences in sex development. Mol Genet Genomic Med. 2022 Dec;10(12):e2084. doi: 10.1002/mgg3.2084. Epub 2022 Nov 11. PMID 36369742
• BACKGROUNDJia H, Ma T, Jia S, Ouyang Y. AKT3 and related molecules as potential biomarkers responsible for cryptorchidism and cryptorchidism-induced azoospermia. Transl Pediatr. 2021 Jul;10(7):1805-1817. doi: 10.21037/tp-21-31. PMID 34430428
• BACKGROUNDYadav SK, Pandey A, Kumar L, Devi A, Kushwaha B, Vishvkarma R, Maikhuri JP, Rajender S, Gupta G. The thermo-sensitive gene expression signatures of spermatogenesis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2018 Jun 2;16(1):56. doi: 10.1186/s12958-018-0372-8. PMID 29859541
• BACKGROUNDProcopio MS, de Avelar GF, Costa GMJ, Lacerda SMSN, Resende RR, de Franca LR. MicroRNAs in Sertoli cells: implications for spermatogenesis and fertility. Cell Tissue Res. 2017 Dec;370(3):335-346. doi: 10.1007/s00441-017-2667-z. Epub 2017 Aug 4. PMID 28779347
• BACKGROUNDLian J, Zhang X, Tian H, Liang N, Wang Y, Liang C, Li X, Sun F. Altered microRNA expression in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2009 Feb 11;7:13. doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-7-13.