Role of Markers in Male Infertility: A Review

Infertility is a disease of the genital system defined by the failure to realize a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of normal unprotected sexual activity. The causes of male infertility ranges from hormonal imbalances to physical problems to psychological and/or behavioral problems and ill habits (Manish et al. , 2015). As per guidelines of World Health Organization (WHO), the inability of couples to conceive after 2 years of regular unprotected intercourse clinically defines infertility. As per guidelines, male factor infertility can be a health problem for males and is primarily responsible for inability to conceive a child after 1 year of regular, unprotected intercourse (Amena Khatun, et al. , 2018). The investigation in male infertility is assuming greater importance because approximately half of all infertility cases are caused by male factors. In wake of this fact, it is of utmost importance to look for specific and sensitive markers to identify infertility in males early on so that it can be cured or rectified before it is too late. The current review explores such studies that were devoted to the identification of such markers that ranges from chromosomal to hormonal to anatomical but each separately or in combination can help the medical fraternity and fertility experts in helping their patients and could be prove to be a boon to the infertile couple.