Mechanisms of polycystic kidney diseases inducing male reproductive disorders

Polycystic kidney diseases (PKD) are inherited monogenetic disorders characterized by multiple progressive renal cysts, which can be divided into two types－ autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD) and autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD). Although most of the male patients with PKD have normal fertility, some are reportedly infertile. Recent studies show that the reproductive disorders in PKD males are associated with such pathological changes as seminal vesicle cysts, asthenozoospermia, necrozoospermia, flagella structural abnormalities, and end-stage renal disease. Based on the results of current studies, this review focuses on the pathogenesis of male infertility in PKD patients in terms of the reproductive system structure and related genes and proteins, aiming for a further understanding of PKD.