Abstract
BACKGROUND: Endometriosis (EM) is a condition that causes infertility with decreasing uterine receptivity. It is reported that it affects about 20-25% of all infertile women. Some genetic markers play a crucial role in pathogenesis and infertility. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the role of miR-200a and miR-223-3p in embryo implantation and their association with EM-related infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 36 women who referred to the Center for Research on Reproductive Health and Infertility of Babol University of Medical Sciences and Fatemeh Al-Zahra Infertility Specialized Treatment Center in Babol, Iran between June 2022 and July 2023 were evaluated. Participants were divided into 2 EM and control groups (n = 18/each). Endometrial samples were collected from participants between 17 th and 24 th days of their menstrual cycle. Histopathological examination (hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid schiff) was performed to confirm the secretory stage, and miR-200a and miR-223-3p expressions were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Histological analysis confirmed that both groups were in the secretory stage. Additionally, miRNA expression results showed a significant decrease in the miR-200a and miR-223-3p expression levels in EM group compared to control group. The expression level of miR-223-3p and miR-200a in the eutopic endometrial tissue of women with EM was notably lower than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that miR-200a and miR-223-3p are involved in the EM pathogenesis, while other genes and signaling pathways are probably involved in the implantation failure.