Epigenetics of nonobstructive azoospermia.

Author: Sezgin GUNES ¹ ; Asli Metin MAHMUTOGLU ² ; Neslihan HEKIM ¹
Author Information

1. Department of Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun 55139, Türkiye.
2. Department of Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat 66100, Türkiye.
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: DNA methylation; epigenetics; histone modifications; noncoding RNAs; nonobstructive azoospermia
MeSH: Humans; Azoospermia/metabolism*; Male; DNA Methylation/genetics*; Epigenesis, Genetic; Spermatogenesis/genetics*; RNA, Small Untranslated/genetics*
From: Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(3):311-321
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a severe and heterogeneous form of male factor infertility caused by dysfunction of spermatogenesis. Although various factors are well defined in the disruption of spermatogenesis, not all aspects due to the heterogeneity of the disorder have been determined yet. In this review, we focus on the recent findings and summarize the current data on epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and different metabolites produced during methylation and demethylation and various types of small noncoding RNAs involved in the pathogenesis of different groups of NOA.