Genetic screening of infertile men
David Cram A B D , Michael Lynch C , Moira K. O’Bryan A , Chelsea Salvado A , Robert I. McLachlan C and David M. de Kretser A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development, Monash University, 27–31 Wright St, Clayton, Australia.
B Monash IVF, Epworth Hospital, Richmond, Melbourne, Australia.
C Prince Henry’s Institute of Reproduction and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
D To whom correspondence should be addressed. email: david.cram@med.monash.edu.au
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 16(5) 573-580 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD03097
Submitted: 21 October 2003 Accepted: 18 December 2003 Published: 22 July 2004
Abstract
Male infertility is an extraordinarily common medical condition, affecting 1 in 20 men. According to the World Health Organization, this condition is now considered to be a complex disease involving physical, genetic and environmental factors. With continuing advances in our understanding of male reproductive physiology and endocrinology, together with the availability of the complete sequence of the human genome and powerful functional genomic techniques, the stage is now set to identify the genes that are essential for spermatogenesis. Given that the process of spermatogenesis, from the germ cell to mature sperm, is complex, the challenge for research is to develop the strategies for identifying new genetic causes of idiopathic male infertility and defining genotypes associated with specific defects in semen parameters and testicular pathologies. Such information will form the basis of new genetic tests that will allow the clinician to make an accurate diagnosis of the male partner and a more informed decision about treatment options for the couple.
Acknowledgments
This work has been supported by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) of Australia (#143786 and #241000), Andrology Australia and Monash IVF Pty Ltd. Moira O’Bryan is the recipient of an NH&MRC R. D. Wright Fellowship (#143781).
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