Sperm Aneuploidy in Infertile Male Patients: A Systematic Review of the Literature

The 2014 systematic review investigated the risk factors and consequences of sperm aneuploidy in infertile males. It found that infertile men, particularly those with oligospermia or nonobstructive azoospermia, have a higher risk of producing aneuploid sperm, which can lead to chromosomal abnormalities in embryos, reduced implantation, and pregnancy rates. The review also identified a range of biological, clinical, and environmental factors that may increase sperm aneuploidy, including Y-chromosome microdeletions, varicocele, cryptorchidism, high serum FSH, chemotherapy, testicular cancer, and exposure to chemicals like benzene, PCBs, and DDT. Lifestyle factors such as alcohol intake, use of anabolic steroids, and medications like finasteride and diazepam were also discussed as potential contributors to sperm aneuploidy. The review emphasized the need for personalized reproductive counseling and further research to prevent the transmission of genetic errors to offspring.