Protamines and their role in pathogenesis of male infertility

Abstract

Sperm DNA damage is the single largest cause of defective sperm function and may be the underlying cause of idiopathic male infertility. According to the WHO published data, male infertility contributes to about 45–50% cases of infertility (1). Male infertility is defined as a multifactorial syndrome affecting 1 out of every 20 men in the reproductive age group (2). Although extensive research has been done in the context of male infertility but the exact cause is still unknown (idiopathic) and is mainly attributed to genetic reasons (3). Decline in sperm function is believed to be the primary, single, and defined cause of male infertility, resulting in failed fertilization (4).