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Aberrant autophagic activity is closely associated with various sperm abnormalities, including oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia, and azoospermia. In this narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on the role of autophagy in sperm abnormality-related male infertility, detailing the relationship between autophagic dysfunction and various sperm disorders. We compile and synthesize findings from major clinical studies, basic science research, and relevant reviews to highlight the role of autophagy and its therapeutic potential. These insights may contribute to advancing the clinical management of male infertility through the identification of novel therapeutic targets related to autophagic regulation.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.4103\/aja202589","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,20]],"date-time":"2026-01-20T14:00:28Z","timestamp":1768917628000},"page":"359-368","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/lww.0000000000001000","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["A narrative review on the role of autophagy in male infertility-associated sperm abnormalities"],"prefix":"10.4103","volume":"28","author":[{"given":"Yi-Han","family":"Jin","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China"},{"name":"Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Da-Wei","family":"Gao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Chu-Yu","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China"},{"name":"State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210036, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Da-Lin","family":"Sun","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Andrology Department of Integrative Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, 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