Progress of miRNA in male infertility: how close are we to noninvasive and accurate diagnostic markers? Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: To determine the accuracy of miRNA as a biomarker in male infertility diagnosis. Methods: After a systematic literature search was performed in several databases, 1263 participants in eight studies through May 2020 were included.  Publication bias was identified by Deeks funnel plot asymmetry test. Likelihood ratio scattergram and Fagan's nomogram were employed to judge the application value of a diagnosis. Threshold effect, sensitivity and regression analysis were performed to explore possible sources of potential heterogeneity. Results: Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the use of multiple miRNAs and seminal plasma-derived miRNAs showed high sensitivity and diagnostic odds ratios. Conclusion: miRNAs show great potential as novel diagnostic biomarkers for infertility.

Biomarkers in medicine. 2021 Oct 27 [Epub ahead of print]

Lin Liu, Jie Jyu, Xin Wang, Alice Y Chen, Hong Zhang, Fang Lyu

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Luohe Medical College, Luohe, 462002, China., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, NanTong First People's Hospital, NanTong, 226006, China., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China., Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 201942, USA., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow, 215004, China.