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. 2014 Sep-Oct;16(5):669-74.
doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.125412.

Bringing epigenetics into the diagnostics of the andrology laboratory: challenges and perspectives

Ruth Kläver, Jörg Gromoll  1
Affiliations

Bringing epigenetics into the diagnostics of the andrology laboratory: challenges and perspectives

Ruth Kläver et al. Asian J Androl. 2014 Sep-Oct.

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.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Meta-analyses of studies which analyzed normal and abnormal DNA methylation of H19 and MEST in spermatozoa of infertile men in comparison to these values of fertile men. For each study the odds ratio with 95% confidence interval is shown. Odds ratio >1 means that it is more likely for infertile men to have aberrant imprints than for fertile men, odds ratio <1 signifies that it is less likely for infertile men to have aberrant imprints compared to fertile men.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Aberrant imprints and abnormal semen parameters are associated with impaired fertilization, imprinting disorders and spontaneous abortions.
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