Is spermatozoa epigenome a diagnostic tool for assessing male infertility?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37800/RM.3.2024.9-15Keywords:
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), in-vitro fertilization (IVF), male infertility, sperm, spermatozoa, epigenome, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)Abstract
Relevance: The sperm epigenome is essential in ensuring sperm quality, including maintaining chromatin integrity. However, a clear link between successful embryo development and clinical outcomes has not been established despite its importance.
The study aimed to assess the influence of sperm epigenetics on the quality and development of the embryo and identify the molecular mechanisms involved in this process.
Materials and methods: The PubMed database and the World Health Organization documents for 2012-2023 were searched using the following keywords: assisted reproductive technologies, in vitro fertilization, male infertility, sperm, spermatozoa, epigenome, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
Results: The analysis of current publications revealed that the relationship between the sperm epigenome and embryo development remains the subject of active research. The degree of influence of the sperm epigenome on the fertilization process, early embryo development, and the outcome of the IVF program continues to cause debate.
Conclusion: The study of epigenetic changes in spermatozoa of men who have infertility opens new horizons for understanding the mechanisms affecting fertility and embryo quality. Understanding the epigenetic processes affecting spermatogenesis and embryogenesis may not only contribute to improving the results of ART and offer new approaches to the treatment of male infertility but also pave the way for future research that could provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying male infertility.
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