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.
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Written by:
Ruth Kläver and Jörg Gromoll Are you the author?
Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Clinics of Münster, Münster, Germany
Reference: Asian J Androl. 2014 16, 669–674
doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.125412
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24923457