Future perspectives in the diagnosis and management of unexplained male infertility

Abstract

Unexplained male infertility (UMI) remains a challenge to both the physician and the patient. Currently, the management options for unexplained infertility, beyond assisted reproductive techniques, are typically limited to empiric therapies. This chapter focuses on stem cell biology and gene therapy that may offer potential treatment options for the most severe forms of male infertility, including idiopathic infertility, in the future. While stem cells and gene therapy have made some interesting advances in animal studies, there is still a need for additional research before these developments can be translated to the clinical setting.