Application of Raman spectroscopy in Andrology: non-invasive analysis of tissue and single cell

As a fast, label-free and non-invasive detection method, Raman spectroscopy has been widely used for the interrogation of biological tissues, any alterations of molecular structure and chemical components during pathological processes would be identified and revealed via the differences on Raman spectrum. In clinics, the Raman spectroscopy has great potentials to provide real-time scanning of living tissues and fast diagnosis of diseases, just like discrimination of various carcinomas. A portable Raman spectroscopy which combined Raman system with an optical fiber probe has also been developed and proved to be able to provide intraoperative assistance in both human study and animal models. In Andrology, interests in Raman spectroscopy had just emerged. In this review, we summarized the progress about the utility of Raman spectroscopy in Andrology, the literatures were gathered from PubMed and Ovid database using MeSH terms associated with prostate, testis, seminal plasma and single sperm cell. We also highlighted the serious challenges as to the final clinical application of Raman technique. In conclusion, research in Raman spectroscopy may herald a new era for Andrology.