Impact of Circadian Desynchrony on Spermatogenesis: A Mini Review

Abstract

The purpose of this mini review is to provide data about pre-clinical and clinical evidence exploring the impact of circadian desynchrony on spermatogenesis. Several lines of evidence exist demonstrating that disruption of circadian rhythms may interfere with male fertility. Experimental knock-out or knock-down of clock genes, physiologically involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms, are associated with impairments of fertility pathways in both animal and human models. Moreover, disruption of circadian rhythms, due to reduction of sleep duration and/or alteration of its architecture can negatively interfere in humans with circulating levels of male sexual hormones as well as with semen parameters. Unfortunately, current evidence remains low due to study heterogeneity.