MALE INFERTILITY: A REVIEW ON SPERMATOZOA PROTEOMICS AND FERTILITY-ASSOCIATED BIOMARKERS IDENTIFICATION

Male infertility has remained a complex multi-factorial disease and needs advanced molecular studies. The development of effective diagnostic capabilities has resulted in the desire to create minimally invasive tests to help in the understanding of the etiology of male infertility. In recent times, research on human sperm proteomics has gained momentum and provides detailed information regarding spermatozoa’s functional state. Sperm proteome changes are seen in many male infertility cases linked conditions. A Revolution in omics and the availability of advanced proteomic tools have increased the knowledge and understanding of the causes of male infertility. Proteomic tools and techniques including liquid chromatography, mass spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF are employed in sperm proteins profiling towards identifying the molecular pathways that are defective in infertile men. Proteomic information empowers better comprehension of sperm biochemistry and provides data that aids in improving reproductive outcomes in infertility patients. Therefore, this review explores the proteomic concepts and techniques for spermatozoa proteome analysis. It also examines the proteomic approaches, including the role of sperm proteomic data, in male infertility. We also give insights into the biomarkers employed in male infertility therapeutics and diagnosis. Identification of sperm proteins as biomarkers in diverse male infertility conditions may help the physician improve the management of this clinical condition.