A Comprehensive Review on Male Infertility

Year : 2025 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 03 | Page : 95 103
By

Gauri Agarwal,

Lalita Upadhyay,

Sandhra George,

Grace Margaret,

  1. 1Founder & Chief Fertility Specialist, Seeds of Innocence Fertility Center, Malviya Nagar, Delhi, India
  2. Senior Embryologist, Seeds of Innocence Fertility Center, Malviya Nagar, Delhi, India
  3. Clinical Embryologist, Seeds of Innocence Fertility Center, Malviya Nagar, Delhi, India
  4. Clinical Embryologist, Seeds of Innocence Fertility Center, Malviya Nagar, Delhi, India

Abstract

The failure to attain a clinical pregnancy naturally after one year of unprotected intercourse is termed as infertility. Some of the factors that contribute to Infertility are late marriages, advanced age, genetics and lifestyle to name a few. To tackle this scenario, infertile and sub fertile couples take the aid of assisted reproductive technology. Intra uterine insemination (IUI), In vitro fertilization (IVF), Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), surgical sperm retrieval are commonly used procedures in ART. The exposure of chemicals which may contain heavy metals in working environment can cause sperm DNA fragmentation. The fertilization of an oocyte with high DNA fragmentation index may affect the clinical outcomes such as poor implantation or even miscarriage. In this review, we attempt to uncover how endocrine disrupting chemicals affect the sperm as well as some strategies to be considered while selecting a sperm for ICSI and subsequently assure a better clinical outcome. Furthermore, growing evidence suggests that endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), pesticides, and heavy metals interfere with the hormonal balance that regulates spermatogenesis. These toxic agents can induce oxidative stress, alter sperm morphology, reduce motility, and compromise the integrity of sperm DNA, ultimately reducing fertility potential. Advanced diagnostic tools such as sperm chromatin structure assays and comet assays help in identifying DNA damage levels, thereby guiding clinicians in treatment selection. Incorporating sperm selection techniques such as magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS), microfluidics, and hyaluronic acid binding assays may enhance embryo quality and implantation rates, contributing to improved success in assisted reproductive technologies.

Keywords: Heavy Metals, DNA Fragmentation, ICSI, Biomarkers, Microfluidics

[This article belongs to Research and Reviews : A Journal of Life Sciences ]

How to cite this article: Gauri Agarwal, Lalita Upadhyay, Sandhra George, Grace Margaret. A Comprehensive Review on Male Infertility. Research and Reviews : A Journal of Life Sciences. 2025; 15(03):95-103.
How to cite this URL: Gauri Agarwal, Lalita Upadhyay, Sandhra George, Grace Margaret. A Comprehensive Review on Male Infertility. Research and Reviews : A Journal of Life Sciences. 2025; 15(03):95-103. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjols/article=2025/view=252664

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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 15
Issue 03
Received 22/05/2025
Accepted 22/09/2025
Published 23/09/2025
Publication Time 124 Days

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