INVITED REVIEW
Role of genetics and epigenetics in male infertility
Sezgin Gunes,
Sandro C. Esteves,
Corresponding Author
Sezgin Gunes
Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
Molecular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
Correspondence
Sezgin Gunes, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorSandro C. Esteves
ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Referral Center for Male Reproduction, Campinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
Search for more papers by this authorSezgin Gunes,
Sandro C. Esteves,
Corresponding Author
Sezgin Gunes
Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
Molecular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
Correspondence
Sezgin Gunes, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorSandro C. Esteves
ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Referral Center for Male Reproduction, Campinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Male infertility is a complex condition with a strong genetic and epigenetic background. This review discusses the importance of genetic and epigenetic factors in the pathophysiology of male infertility. The interplay between thousands of genes, the epigenetic control of gene expression, and environmental and lifestyle factors, which influence genetic and epigenetic variants, determines the resulting male infertility phenotype. Currently, karyotyping, Y-chromosome microdeletion screening and CFTR gene mutation tests are routinely performed to investigate a possible genetic aetiology in patients with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. However, current testing is limited in its ability to identify a variety of genetic and epigenetic conditions that might be implicated in both idiopathic and unexplained infertility. Several epimutations of imprinting genes and developmental genes have been postulated to be candidate markers for male infertility. As such, development of novel diagnostic panels is essential to change the current landscape with regard to prevention, diagnosis and management. Understanding the underlying genetic mechanisms related to the pathophysiology of male infertility, and the impact of environmental exposures and lifestyle factors on gene expression might aid clinicians in developing individualised treatment strategies.
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