Verapamil-induced ion channel and miRNA expression changes in rat testis and/or spermatozoa may be associated with male infertility.

The effect of verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, on male fertility in terms of ion channel and miRNA gene expressions in testis/spermatozoa was evaluated in this study. Rats were divided into sham and verapamil groups (n = 15). Verapamil was performed orally for 60 days. Sperm parameters and levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) hormones were analysed. Alterations of microRNA (miRNA) and ion channel gene expressions in spermatozoa/testis were detected by using qPCR. Verapamil treatment reduced sperm concentration. Increased serum FSH, LH and T hormone levels were detected. Upregulated transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 5 (TRPV5) and potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily J member 11 (KCNJ11) gene expressions and downregulated miR-let-7b, miR-10a, miR-320 and miR-760 expressions were found in testis of verapamil group. However, upregulated anoctamin 1 (ANO1), ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 9 (ABCC9), miR-27a and miR-130a expressions and downregulated miR-20a, miR-92a, miR-132, miR-320 and miR-760 expressions were detected in spermatozoa. In addition, these altered gene expressions were found to be associated with decreased sperm concentration. The results indicate that the changes in testicular and/or spermatozoal ion channels and miRNA expressions due to verapamil treatment may affect male fertility.