Potential role of dynein-related genes in the etiology of male infertility: A systematic review and a meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: The dynein-related genes may have a role in the etiology of male infertility, particularly in cases of impaired sperm motility.

Objectives: The goal of this review is to compile a list of the most important dynein-related candidate genes that may contribute to male factor infertility.

Materials and methods: Databases were searched using the keywords "dynein," "male," "infertility," and by applying strict inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis was also performed by using the eligible case-control studies. The odd ratios (ORs), the Z-test score, and the level of significance were determined using a fixed model with a p value of 0.05. Funnel plots were used to check for publication bias.

Results: There were 35 studies that met the inclusion criteria. There were a total of 15 genes responsible for the production of dynein structural proteins, the production of dynein assembling factors, and potentially associated with male infertility. A total of five case-control studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Variants in the dynein-related genes were linked to an increased the risk of male infertility (OR = 21.52, 95% confidence interval 8.34-55.50, Z test = 6.35, p < 0.05). The percentage of heterogeneity, I² , was 47.00%. The lack of variants in the dynein genes was an advantage, and this was statistically significant.

Discussion: The results from the present review illustrate that pathogenic variants in genes both for dynein synthesis and for dynein assembly factors could be associated with isolated cases of male infertility without any other symptoms.

Conclusions: The genes addressed in this study, which are involved in both the production and assembly of dynein, could be used as molecular targets for future research into the etiology of sperm motility problems.

Keywords: MMAF; asthenozoospermia; dynein; male infertility.