Necessity of genetic tests before beginning assisted reproductive procedures

Background: In general, infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant (conceive) after one year of unprotected action to pregnancy. The role of genetics in the incidence of both male and female infertility has been firmly established. Applications of diagnostic genetic tests are essential to assess the causes of infertility and accordingly offer new targeted therapies to reduce treatment failure.Methods: A comprehensive review was performed in PubMed articles published from 2008 to 2017,using the key words epigenetic and gene s role in the infertility , genetic factors and assisted reproductive treatment failure , new treatments for infertility based on genetic factors .Result: The relationships between chromosomal abnormalities, imprinting pattern defects, epigenetic changes, mitochondrial mutations and polymorphisms, copy number variations, and mutations in certain genes, especially genes related to the gametogenesis, and incidence of infertility and unsuccessful therapies based on assisted reproductive technology, were determined. The presence of genetic mutations, chromosomal anomalies, DNA damage in apparently healthy sperm and ovule - silent carriers-, recurrent abortions, lack of response to fertility treatments or successful response with occurrence of diseases and malignancies because of anomalies transfer to the next generation, reveal importance of genetic assessments before using of assisted reproductive procedures. For example, micro deletion on the YX chromosome, or mutation of CATSPER, MEIOB, DICER and MSY2 genes on autosomal chromosomes results in male and female infertility, infertility treatment failure, and will transfer to next generation as pre-mutations.Conclusion: Given the increasing prevalence of infertility, and imposing heavy economic, social and psychological costs and pressures of assisted reproductive technology on couples and society, beside the importance of produce, healthy offspring, it is significant to genetic counseling and provision of individual, reproductive history for primary screening. Because of the presence of micro deletions, rearrangements or balance displacements, therefore resulting in inadequate chromosomal analysis, it is recommended to doing diagnostic genetic tests for at least one sample of semen. If abnormal test results were seen, more accurate genetic analysis is essential for the couples.

کلیدواژه ها:

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) ، Diagnostic genetic tests ، Genetic counseling ، Infertility