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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]