title: DNA methylation in spermatogenesis and male infertility.
abstract: Infertility is a significant problem for human reproduction, with males and females equally affected. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying male infertility remain unclear. Spermatogenesis is a highly complex process involving mitotic cell division, meiosis cell division and spermiogenesis; during this period, unique and extensive chromatin and epigenetic modifications occur to bring about specific epigenetic profiles in spermatozoa. It has recently been suggested that the dysregulation of epigenetic modifications, in particular the methylation of sperm genomic DNA, may serve an important role in the development of numerous diseases. The present study is a comprehensive review on the topic of male infertility, aiming to elucidate the association between sperm genomic DNA methylation and poor semen quality in male infertility. In addition, the current status of the genetic and epigenetic determinants of spermatogenesis in humans is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Center, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030000, P.R. China; Division of Clinical Microbiology The Center Hospital of Linfen, Linfen, Shanxi 041000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiangrong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, Shanxi Province People's Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jing
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Center, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xueqing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Center, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Meiqin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Center, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Center, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Center, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhenqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
keywords: DNA methylation; epigenetics; male infertility; spermatogenesis