The application of nanomaterials in designing promising diagnostic, preservation, and therapeutic strategies in combating male infertility: A review

Infertility is a medical condition that affects the reproductive system, characterized by the inability to achieve a clinical pregnancy despite engaging in regular unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or more. Testicular dysfunction, genetic defects, environmental factors, and hormonal imbalances primarily cause male infertility. Nanotechnology is an expanding discipline with the capacity to profoundly transform various domains of medicine, such as the management of male infertility. Nanomaterials have distinctive characteristics that render them very suitable for addressing male infertility. These characteristics include their small size, high surface area-to-volume ratio, and ability to interact with biological systems at the cellular and molecular level. Traditional drug delivery methods often result in low drug concentrations at the site of action, leading to poor efficacy and unwanted side effects. Nanoparticles (NPs) can selectively target specific cells or tissues, delivering drugs directly to the site of action and increasing their effectiveness while reducing side effects. A further prospective use of nanomaterials in addressing male infertility lies in developing diagnostic tools. Existing diagnostic techniques for male infertility sometimes include invasive and time-consuming procedures. NPs can be engineered to selectively attach to specific proteins or molecules found in semen or other bodily fluids, enabling quick and noninvasive detection of male infertility. This study explores and demonstrates the beneficial roles and potential mechanisms of action of several inorganic and organic NPs in devising effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to treat male infertility.