Apoptosis and male infertility

Abstract

The pathogenesis of male infertility can be reflected by defective spermatogenesis due to pituitary disorders, testicular cancer, germ cell aplasia, varicocele, and environmental factors or due to defective sperm transport resulting from congenital abnormalities, immunological or neurological factors. Recent findings show that male infertility could be increased incidence of genetic disorders and apoptosis. Of these, apoptosis has been identified as a major factor contributing to male infertility and has been studied extensively in recent years. Apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death (PCD), is required for normal spermatogenesis in mammals and is believed to ensure cellular homeostasis, and an adequate number of germ cells are eliminated via the process of apoptosis inorder to maintain a precise germ cell population in compliance with the supportive capacity of the Sertoli cells. This chapter briefs both physiological and pathological events that can trigger apoptosis and their effects on the male reproductive system.