-
Nature Reviews. Disease Primers Sep 2023Clinical infertility is the inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of trying. Male factors are estimated to contribute to 30-50% of cases of infertility.... (Review)
Review
Clinical infertility is the inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of trying. Male factors are estimated to contribute to 30-50% of cases of infertility. Infertility or reduced fertility can result from testicular dysfunction, endocrinopathies, lifestyle factors (such as tobacco and obesity), congenital anatomical factors, gonadotoxic exposures and ageing, among others. The evaluation of male infertility includes detailed history taking, focused physical examination and selective laboratory testing, including semen analysis. Treatments include lifestyle optimization, empirical or targeted medical therapy as well as surgical therapies that lead to measurable improvement in fertility. Although male infertility is recognized as a disease with effects on quality of life for both members of the infertile couple, fewer data exist on specific quantification and impact compared with other health-related conditions.
Topics: Male; Humans; Quality of Life; Infertility, Male; Aging; Life Style; Obesity
PubMed: 37709866
DOI: 10.1038/s41572-023-00459-w -
F1000Research 2019Infertility is a prevalent condition affecting an estimated 70 million people globally. The World Health Organization estimates that 9% of couples worldwide struggle... (Review)
Review
Infertility is a prevalent condition affecting an estimated 70 million people globally. The World Health Organization estimates that 9% of couples worldwide struggle with fertility issues and that male factor contributes to 50% of the issues. Male infertility has a variety of causes, ranging from genetic mutations to lifestyle choices to medical illnesses or medications. Recent studies examining DNA fragmentation, capacitation, and advanced paternal age have shed light on previously unknown topics. The role of conventional male reproductive surgeries aimed at improving or addressing male factor infertility, such as varicocelectomy and testicular sperm extraction, have recently been studied in an attempt to expand their narrow indications. Despite advances in the understanding of male infertility, idiopathic sperm abnormalities still account for about 30% of male infertility. With current and future efforts examining the molecular and genetic factors responsible for spermatogenesis and fertilization, we may be better able to understand etiologies of male factor infertility and thus improve outcomes for our patients.
Topics: DNA Damage; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Sperm Capacitation; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 31143441
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.17076.1 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Jan 2021Male infertility is defined as the inability to conceive following 1 year of regular unprotected intercourse. It is the causative factor in 50% of couples and a leading... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Male infertility is defined as the inability to conceive following 1 year of regular unprotected intercourse. It is the causative factor in 50% of couples and a leading indication for assisted reproductive techniques (ART). Testicular failure is the most common cause of male infertility, yet the least studied to date.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
The review is an evidence-based summary of male infertility due to testicular failure with a focus on etiology, clinical assessment, and current management approaches. PubMed-searched articles and relevant clinical guidelines were reviewed in detail.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS/RESULTS
Spermatogenesis is under multiple levels of regulation and novel molecular diagnostic tests of sperm function (reactive oxidative species and DNA fragmentation) have since been developed, and albeit currently remain as research tools. Several genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors provoking testicular failure have been elucidated during the last decade; nevertheless, 40% of cases are idiopathic, with novel monogenic genes linked in the etiopathogenesis. Microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) and hormonal stimulation with gonadotropins, selective estrogen receptor modulators, and aromatase inhibitors are recently developed therapeutic approaches for men with the most severe form of testicular failure, nonobstructive azoospermia. However, high-quality clinical trials data is currently lacking.
CONCLUSIONS
Male infertility due to testicular failure has traditionally been viewed as unmodifiable. In the absence of effective pharmacological therapies, delivery of lifestyle advice is a potentially important treatment option. Future research efforts are needed to determine unidentified factors causative in "idiopathic" male infertility and long-term follow-up studies of babies conceived through ART.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infertility, Male; Male; Pregnancy; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Semen Analysis; Spermatogenesis; Testicular Diseases
PubMed: 33295608
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa781 -
Nature Reviews. Urology Jun 2018Male infertility is a multifactorial pathological condition affecting approximately 7% of the male population. The genetic landscape of male infertility is highly... (Review)
Review
Male infertility is a multifactorial pathological condition affecting approximately 7% of the male population. The genetic landscape of male infertility is highly complex as semen and testis histological phenotypes are extremely heterogeneous, and at least 2,000 genes are involved in spermatogenesis. The highest frequency of known genetic factors contributing to male infertility (25%) is in azoospermia, but the number of identified genetic anomalies in other semen and aetiological categories is constantly growing. Genetic screening is relevant for its diagnostic value, clinical decision making, and appropriate genetic counselling. Anomalies in sex chromosomes have major roles in severe spermatogenic impairment. Autosome-linked gene mutations are mainly involved in central hypogonadism, monomorphic teratozoospermia or asthenozoospermia, congenital obstructive azoospermia, and familial cases of quantitative spermatogenic disturbances. Results from whole-genome association studies suggest a marginal role for common variants as causative factors; however, some of these variants can be important for pharmacogenetic purposes. Results of studies on copy number variations (CNVs) demonstrate a considerably higher CNV load in infertile patients than in normozoospermic men, whereas whole-exome analysis has proved to be a highly successful diagnostic tool in familial cases of male infertility. Despite such efforts, the aetiology of infertility remains unknown in about 40% of patients, and the discovery of novel genetic factors in idiopathic infertility is a major challenge for the field of androgenetics. Large, international, and consortium-based whole-exome and whole-genome studies are the most promising approach for the discovery of the missing genetic aetiology of idiopathic male infertility.
Topics: Genetic Markers; Genetic Testing; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male
PubMed: 29622783
DOI: 10.1038/s41585-018-0003-3 -
Fertility and Sterility Oct 2018There is an emerging body of evidence suggesting that male infertility may be a harbinger of future health. Potential associations between infertility and health may... (Review)
Review
There is an emerging body of evidence suggesting that male infertility may be a harbinger of future health. Potential associations between infertility and health may arise from genetic, developmental, and lifestyle factors. Studies have explored possible links between male infertility and oncologic, cardiovascular, metabolic, and autoimmune diseases. Male infertility may also be a predictor of hospitalization and mortality. Additional research is required to elucidate the mechanisms by which male infertility affects overall health.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Infertility, Male; Life Style; Male; Men's Health; Neoplasms; Risk Factors
PubMed: 30316415
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.08.015 -
The Journal of Urology Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Infertility, Male; Male
PubMed: 38506283
DOI: 10.1097/JU.0000000000003817 -
The Journal of Urology Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Infertility, Male; Male
PubMed: 38588517
DOI: 10.1097/JU.0000000000003944 -
JBRA Assisted Reproduction Aug 2022Most causes of male infertility are treatable, and the goal of many treatments is to restore the ability to conceive naturally. The process of spermatogenesis is... (Review)
Review
Most causes of male infertility are treatable, and the goal of many treatments is to restore the ability to conceive naturally. The process of spermatogenesis is essential for human reproduction. A simple sounding process is mediated by a variety of factors, including multiple hormonal influences. Fertility should be discussed with all patients at risk of gonadal failure due to treatment. Ideally, this discussion should be held by a fertility expert with special interest in fertility preservation. This mini review aims to provide the current status of male infertility, the fertility preservation options and the impact of stem cells in it today.
Topics: Fertility; Fertility Preservation; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Spermatogenesis
PubMed: 35939554
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Up to 50% of infertility is caused by the male side. Varicocele, orchitis, prostatitis, oligospermia, asthenospermia, and azoospermia are common causes of impaired male... (Review)
Review
Up to 50% of infertility is caused by the male side. Varicocele, orchitis, prostatitis, oligospermia, asthenospermia, and azoospermia are common causes of impaired male reproductive function and male infertility. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that microorganisms play an increasingly important role in the occurrence of these diseases. This review will discuss the microbiological changes associated with male infertility from the perspective of etiology, and how microorganisms affect the normal function of the male reproductive system through immune mechanisms. Linking male infertility with microbiome and immunomics can help us recognize the immune response under different disease states, providing more targeted immune target therapy for these diseases, and even the possibility of combined immunotherapy and microbial therapy for male infertility.
Topics: Male; Humans; Infertility, Male; Oligospermia; Azoospermia; Genitalia, Male; Varicocele
PubMed: 36895560
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1139450 -
Seminars in Reproductive Medicine Jan 2019Male infertility is a condition that affects approximately 50% of infertile couples and about 30% of those couples have only male factor infertility identified. There... (Review)
Review
Male infertility is a condition that affects approximately 50% of infertile couples and about 30% of those couples have only male factor infertility identified. There has been speculation that male military service members may have an even greater lifetime prevalence of infertility as compared to the general population, but very few scientific publications focus on male factor infertility in the military population specifically. This review will discuss many of the unique considerations regarding male infertility in the military and highlight future opportunities for research. The military/federal health system has the potential to serve as a leader in both the delivery of health care for male factor infertility and in the clinical investigation into the etiologies of and treatments for male factor infertility.
Topics: Fertility; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Military Health; Military Medicine; Reproductive Health; Reproductive Medicine; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Treatment Outcome; United States
PubMed: 31419810
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1694027