Abstract
Assisted reproductive techniques have revolutionized the treatment of male reproductive
failure, allowing biological fatherhood to be achieved by many men that nature would
have never permitted. As we are able to help more and more couples with our therapies,
the genetic basis of the man's spermatogenic, anatomical, or spermatozoal dysfunction
needs to be determined so as to inform the couple whether there will be adverse consequences
to either the patient individually or to any female or male offspring that may result.
The goal of all that is done in reproductive medicine should include not just a singular
thought process involving the couple and their desires to get pregnant but should
take a wider view that encompasses the children we create and their physical, psychological,
and genetic well-being. This article will review some of the more common or recognized
conditions resulting in male reproductive failure, what is known or hypothesized about
their genetic basis, and the adverse consequences that may arise for the patient or
any offspring.
Keywords
male infertility - azoospermia - Y chromosome microdeletions - globozoospermia - congenital
bilateral absence of the vas deferens