Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Hum Genomics. 2024 Jun 4;18(1):57. doi: 10.1186/s40246-024-00626-4.
The prevalence of infertility among couples is estimated to range from 8 to 12%. A paradigm shift has occurred in understanding of infertility, challenging the notion that it predominantly affects women. It is now acknowledged that a significant proportion, if not the majority, of infertility cases can be attributed to male-related factors. Various elements contribute to male reproductive impairments, including aberrant sperm production caused by pituitary malfunction, testicular malignancies, aplastic germ cells, varicocele, and environmental factors.
The epigenetic profile of mammalian sperm is distinctive and specialized. Various epigenetic factors regulate genes across different levels in sperm, thereby affecting its function. Changes in sperm epigenetics, potentially influenced by factors such as environmental exposures, could contribute to the development of male infertility.
In conclusion, this review investigates the latest studies pertaining to the mechanisms of epigenetic changes that occur in sperm cells and their association with male reproductive issues.
据估计,夫妇不孕的患病率在 8%至 12%之间。人们对不孕的理解发生了重大转变,挑战了不孕主要影响女性的观点。现在人们认识到,相当一部分(如果不是大多数)不孕病例可归因于与男性相关的因素。多种因素可导致男性生殖功能障碍,包括由垂体功能障碍引起的精子生成异常、睾丸恶性肿瘤、再生障碍性生殖细胞、精索静脉曲张和环境因素。
哺乳动物精子的表观遗传特征独特而特殊。各种表观遗传因素在精子的不同水平上调节基因,从而影响其功能。精子表观遗传的变化,可能受环境暴露等因素的影响,可能导致男性不育。
综上所述,本综述研究了精子细胞中发生的表观遗传变化的最新机制及其与男性生殖问题的关联。