[SEPT12 in male infertility: Advances in studies].

SEPT12, as a member of the septin gene family, is preferentially expressed in the adult male testis and plays an important role in the spermatogenesis and maturation of sperm. It is also essential for the maintenance of the structural integrity of the sperm tail. SEPT12 is closely related to sperm morphological abnormality, and its mutation leads to decreased fertility or infertility of males. This review presents an overview of the advances in and affords a prospect of the studies on the structure and biological functions of SEPT12 and the impact of its mutation on male fertility.