[TDP-43 in male infertility: Progress in studies]

Approximately 10－15% of couples worldwide fail to achieve a pregnancy within a year after marriage. Male factors account for about 50% of the causes of infertility and the causes of male infertility are complicated and varied, and many of them are not yet clear. In recent years, the role of RNA-binding proteins in male infertility has attracted much attention. The transactive response DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) is involved in gene regulation in the testis, and its abnormal expression may affect male reproduction and lead to male infertility. The distribution and expression of TDP-43 vary in normal and abnormal spermatozoa and may be a marker of male infertility. This article presents an overview on the structure of TDP-43 and its role in male infertility.