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.
Keywords: diagnostics; infertility; miRNA.