Publication
Title
A search for molecular mechanisms underlying male idiopathic infertility
Author
Abstract
Infertility affects approximately 15% of the couples wanting to conceive. In 30 - 40% of the cases the aetiology of male infertility remains unknown and is called idiopathic male infertility. When assisted reproductive technologies are used to obtain pregnancy, an adequate (epi) genetic diagnosis of male infertility is of major importance to evaluate if a genetic abnormality will be transmitted to the offspring. In addition, there is need for better diagnostic seminal biomarkers to assess the success rates of these assisted reproductive technologies. This review investigated the possible causes and molecular mechanisms underlying male idiopathic infertility by extensive literature searches of: (i) causal gene mutations; (ii) proteome studies of spermatozoa from idiopathic infertile men;(iii) the role of epigenetics; (iv) post-translational modifications; and (v) sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men. In conclusion, male infertility is a complex, multi-factorial disorder and the underlying causes often remain unknown. Further research on the (epi) genetic and molecular defects in spermatogenesis and sperm function is necessary to improve the diagnosis and to develop more personalized treatments of men with idiopathic infertility. (c) 2018 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Reproductive biomedicine online. - Cambridge
Publication
Oxford : Elsevier sci ltd , 2018
ISSN
1472-6483
DOI
10.1016/J.RBMO.2017.12.005
Volume/pages
36 :3 (2018) , p. 327-339
ISI
000426313200013
Pubmed ID
29336995
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Androglobin: a testis specific globin.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 29.03.2018
Last edited 04.03.2024
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