The Genetic Causes of Male Infertility in Iranian Population; A systematic Review

Infertility affects an estimated 15% of couples globally and in Iran, a quarter of cou-ples experiences primary infertility. Males are found to be individually responsible for 20-30% of infertility cases and contribute to 50% of cases totally. When assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are used to acquire pregnancy, a sufficient (epi) genetic diagnosis of male infertility (MI) is of main matter to consider if a genetic abnormality will be transmit-ted to offspring. Infertility cen-ters together with Infertility research centers had been founded since 1994 in Iran and many arti-cles from research projects have been published. This literature investigated the possible genetic causes mechanisms un-derlying Iranian male infertility by extensive article searches. First, we reviewed available data from the Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IranMedex, MEDLIB, IranDoc and Scien-tific Information Database were searched for articles published until 2018, using the MeSH terms for a variety of chromosome abnormalities, Y-chromosome microdeletions, gene mutations, expres-sion and polymorphisms, Male infertility and/or Iranian, regional and international population, to provides the evidence- based and a comprehensive, up-to- date evaluation of the multifactorial fac-tors involved in Iranian infertile men. According to the strategy adopted initially, 274 manuscripts were found. After reviewing the titles, abstracts and manuscripts entirely cited, the total of 139 articles were obtained and se-lected according to the eligibility criteria. The 139 studies were divided into four predetermined categories that mentioned above. Studies have good methodological validity. The sample is quite heterogeneous, given the very different design of the studies. MI is a complex, multi-factorial disease and the underlying reasons frequently remain unknown. It seems that the first line of genetic diagnosis in Iranian male infertility is similar to Global One. In all investigations conducted in Iran, there are vacancies in studies such as epigenetic modification studies, RNA (lncRNA, miRNA and piRNA) abnormalities, mutation detection and pol-ymorphism studies in other genes involved in the spermatogenesis process. At present, we have a little information for some polymorphisms (MTHFR, GST, ER, and DAZL) and mutations (mtDNA, CATSPER) which require more extensive studies. Such articles help to find a better insight into the causes of infertility in the Iranian men's community and will provide valuable visions into the de-velopment of targeted personalized treatments for patients and the ascertainment of the reasons of idiopathic infertility.