Epigenetics of male infertility: An update.
- Author:
Qi-Jie ZHANG
1
;
Jie XU
1
;
Chao QIN
2
Author Information
1. The First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211100, China.
2. Department of Urology, People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
diagnosis;
epigenetics;
reproduction;
male infertility
- MeSH:
DNA Methylation;
Epigenesis, Genetic;
Fertility;
Humans;
Infertility, Male;
genetics;
Male;
MicroRNAs;
physiology;
RNA, Small Interfering;
Spermatozoa
- From:
National Journal of Andrology
2017;23(6):566-569
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Epigenetic factors play an important role in male infertility though about 60%－65% of the disease is idiopathic and its underlying causes are not yet clear. Many studies have indicated that epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone tail modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs, may be involved in idiopathic male infertility. Abnormal methylation is associated with decreased sperm quality and fertility. It is known that 1 881 miRNAs are related to male fertility and such non-coding RNAs as piRNA, IncRNA, and circRNA play a regulating role in male reproduction. This review focuses on the value of epigenetics in the etiology and pathogenesis of male infertility, aiming to provide some evidence for the establishment of some strategies for the treatment and prediction of the disease.
