[Genetic aspects of male infertility: From bench to clinic]
M Ben Rhouma1, O Okutman2, J Muller3
1Institut de parasitologie et pathologie tropicale, EA 7292, fédération de médecine translationelle, université de Strasbourg, 3, rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France; Laboratoire de physiologie intégrée, UR11S33, faculté des sciences de Bizerte, université de Carthage, 7021 Jarzouna-Bizerte, Tunisie; Laboratoire de diagnostic génétique, UF3472-génétique de l'infertilité, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
Objectives:
The objective of our manuscript is to review the current state of research on the genetics of male infertility, highlighting the genetic abnormalities that can lead to non-syndromic male infertility and genetic testing proposed to patients. It is intended primarily for clinicians and biologists of reproductive medicine.
Methods:
A comprehensive review of the scientific literature available on PubMed was conducted using keywords related to male infertility and genetics. Since the first genes related to non-syndromic male infertility were identified after the 2000s, bibliographic research was conducted after this date.
Results:
Thirty-three genes have been identified as responsible for non-syndromic male infertility. The evolution of techniques based on whole genome analysis has allowed the development of more successful methods in the identification of new genes and mutations inducing an infertility phenotype. Through this article, we propose, by concrete examples, a clinical approach for genetic tests considering the semen analysis alterations.
Conclusions:
The identification and characterization of these genes and the mutations responsible for certain infertility phenotypes allow better management and better treatment for patients as well as a better understanding of the physiopathological mechanisms of human gametogenesis.
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