Elsevier

Journal of Dairy Science

Volume 84, Issue 9, September 2001, Pages 1915-1925
Journal of Dairy Science

Article
Invited Review: The Search is on: Finding Accurate Molecular Markers of Male Fertility

https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(01)74633-4Get rights and content
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Abstract

Diagnosis of the fertility potential of a semen sample is essential for consistently high reproductive efficiency. The use of subfertile or infertile semen can have devastating consequences for those selling or using the semen. Therefore it is crucial to develop and use accurate diagnostic tests to determine the fertility of males and of individual semen samples. These diagnostic tests must be economically practical and provide consistent results. The goal of this review is to explore areas of fertility diagnostic research, including what we have termed functional and molecular tests, and consider the accuracy of each test. In this article, literature from several species is cited, and it is noteworthy that each diagnostic test may not be valuable in all species. Multiple functional and molecular tests will likely be needed to effectively characterize male fertility in each species.

Key words

fertilization
spermatozoa
oocyte
zona pellucida

Abbreviation key

IVF
in vitro fertilization
GAG
glycosaminoglycans
FAA
fertility associated antigen

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