title: Bringing epigenetics into the diagnostics of the andrology laboratory: challenges and perspectives.
abstract: Recent studies have shown significant associations of aberrant DNA methylation in spermatozoa with idiopathic male infertility, increased frequency of spontaneous abortions and imprinting disorders. Thus, the analysis of DNA methylation of specific genes in spermatozoa has the potential to become a new valuable diagnostic marker in clinical andrology. This perspective article discusses the current state and value of DNA methylation analysis in the diagnostic setup of infertile men and outlines challenges and perspectives. It highlights the potential of DNA methylation in andrological diagnostics and its putative benefit in the examination of hitherto idiopathic infertile patients is described.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kläver
authors.affiliation: Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Clinics of Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gromoll
mesh_terms: D033441:Andrology / Q000379:methods; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000235:genetics*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D057890:Epigenomics / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism