Autosomal genes in male infertility

Abstract

Spermatogenesis is driven by the master genes present on the Y chromosome. These driver genes need support from numerous other genes spread across the genome for a number of actions such as energy metabolism, cell death and apoptosis, protein turnover, synthesis of new proteins and garbage disposal. Preliminary studies on infertility focused on the Y chromosome genes due to their primary and indispensable role in spermatogenesis. A number of other studies on human infertility and mouse knockouts have identified several spermatogenically important genes present on chromosomes other than X and Y. For some of these genes, molecular pathways they participate in have also been worked out. This chapter summarizes the genes present on the autosomes that facilitate the process of spermatogenesis and fertility. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017. All rights reserved.