Multiplex sequence-tagged site PCR for efficient screening of microdeletions in Y chromosome in infertile males with azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia

The multiplex STS-PCR method was used to detect microdeletions in the long arm of the Y chromosome (Yq) of cytogenetically normal men. One hundred infertile men with azoospermia or oligozoospermia were screened with the multiplex PCR method using 58 STSs, which are specific to Yq for detecting microdeletions on this chromosome. Correlations between the microdeletions on Yq and phenotypes of spermatogenetic disturbance were also examined. Ten patients (10%) had microdeletions on Yq. Seven of the 60 azoospermic patients (11.7%), and 3 of the 40 oligozoospermic patients (7.5%) had microdeletions on Yq. None of the patients showed microdeletions in the AZFa region, but 2 had deletions in the AZFb region, another 2 in the AZFc region, including DAZ, and 1 had deletions in both the AZFb and in the AZFc, including RBM and DAZ. Single microdeletions were found in 4 patients, all of them in the AZFc around DAZ, and 1 patient had 2 microdeletions in the AZFb. The improved multiplex STS-PCR method efficiently detected microdeletions in 10% of azoospermic or severe oligozoospermic men who were cytogenetically normal. All of these microdeletions were presented in the AZFb and/or AZFc regions. This suggests that these regions contain candidate genes for spermatogenesis.     

中国男性不育患者染色体核型及Y染色体微缺失分析

目的 探讨男性不育症与染色体畸变及Y染色体微缺失之间的关系.方法临床诊断男性不育患者1975例,采集外周血淋巴细胞常规培养,Giemsa染色,镜下观察并分析染色体核型;选取Y染色体特异性序列标签点(STS),应用PCR技术对无精子症及少精子症患者进行Y染色体微缺失检测.结果 1975例患者中,染色体核型异常305例(15.44%),其中常染色体异常101例(5.11%),患者主要表现为少精子症、畸形精子症;性染色体异常204例(10.33%),主要表现以克氏征(5.62%)为主.728例无精子症或少精子症患者中,Y染色体微缺失109例(14.97%),其中AZFa区缺失3例(2.75%),均表现为无精子症;AZFb区缺失5例(4.59%),表现为无精子症2例、严重少精子症2例,精液正常1例;AZFc区缺失者68例(62.39%),患者主要表现为无精子症和严重少精子症;AZFa区和AZFc区均缺失者5例(4.59%),均表现为无精子症;AZFb区和AZFc区均缺失者15例(13.76%),患者以无精子症表现为主;AZFa区、AZFb区和AZFc区均缺失者6例(5.50%),均表现为无精子症.结论染色体异常及Y染色体微缺失均为男性不育的重要病因.

Abstract：

Objective To study the relationship between chromosomal abnormality and Y chromosome microdeletions and male infertility. Methods Lymphocytes were cultured from peripheral blood of 1975 male infertility patients and stained with Giemsa. The chromosomes were analyzed under microscope. Y chromosome specific sequence tags (STS) were selected, then the Y chromosome microdeletions in AZF regions were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in azoospermia and oligozoospermia patients. Results There were 305 cases of detected chromosomal abnormalities (15.44%) in the 1975 cases. There were 101 cases (5.11 %) with autosome abnormalities which clinically manifested as oligozoospermia and teratospermia. There were 204 cases (10. 33%) of sexual chromosome abnormalities and the patients were mainly characterized with Klinefelter's syndrome. Y chromosome microdeletions were detected in 109 (14.97 %) of the 728 cases of azoospermia or oligozoospermia. The most common microdeletion of Y chromosome was AZFc (62.39%) and these patients were characterized with azoospermia and oligozoospermia. Five patients (4. 59%) who suffered Y chromosome microdeletion in AZFa region and AZFb region were characterized with azoospermia. Fifteen cases (13.76%) with microdeletion in AZFb region and AZFc region were mainly characterized with azoospermia. There were 6 cases (5. 50 % ) of microdeletion in AZFa, AZFb and AZFc regions,these patients were all characterized with azoospermia. Conclusions Both Chromosome abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions are important causes for male infertility.     

精索静脉曲张男性不育患者Y染色体微缺失检测

目的:探讨精索静脉曲张(varicocele,VC)不育患者Y染色体微缺失特点及其与临床表型的关系,为评价VC不育患者是否行手术治疗或ICSI提供依据。方法:VC不育患者174例,分为3组,A组:无精子症47例;B组:严重少精子症57例;C组:轻度少精子症70例;设立正常生育的健康志愿者男性28例作为对照组(D组)。抽取外周血提取DNA,选取Y染色体上AZFa、AZFb、AZFc区共6个序列标签位点,应用多重PCR进行扩增;已生育女性26例作为阴性对照,分别运用琼脂糖凝胶电泳分离,对照阅读扩增产物,判定有无缺失存在以及缺失类型。结果:174例男性不育患者中有22例检测到Y染色体微缺失,缺失率12.64%;A组11例存在微缺失,B组11例存在微缺失,C组未检测到微缺失。A组与C组、B组与C组比较,差异均有显著性。A组缺失病例中有6例为AZFc区缺失,1例为AZFa缺失,2例为AZFb区缺失,2例为AZFb、AZFc区共同缺失;B组缺失病例中有8例为AZFc缺失,2例为AZFb缺失,1例为AZFb、AZFc区共同缺失。结论:①精液异常VC不育与Y染色体微缺失有关;②VC不育患者特别是无精子症和严重少精子症患者,应该进行Y染色体微缺失的检测。     

严重少精子症及非梗阻性无精子症患者Y染色体微缺失分析

目的探讨严重少精子症及非梗阻性无精子症与Y染色体长臂微缺失之间的关系。方法该病例对照研究包括216例严重少精子症、189例非梗阻性无精子症患者及100例精液参数正常的对照。采用多重PCR对Y染色体AZFa、AZFb、AZFc及AZFd区域进行检测。玷果在严重性少精子症患者中,AZF总缺失率为10．65％（23／216）,其中以AZFc区缺失最常见,占缺失的78．26％（18／23）;在非梗阻性无精子症患者中,AZF总缺失率为13．76％（26／189）,其中也以AZFc区缺失最常见,占缺失的57．69％（15／26）;在正常对照中发现1例AZFb缺失,两病例组AZF区缺失分别与对照组相比较均具有显著差异（X^2=9．066,P=0．003;X^2=10．74,P=0．001）。结论通过对Y染色体微缺失的检查可以从基因水平寻找生精障碍的原因以及为优生优育提供可靠的遗传信息依据。     

男性不育患者Y染色体微缺失液态芯片筛查方法的建立及应用

目的建立一套全新的基因诊断方法,检测Y染色体无精子因子(azoospermia factor,AZF)区域微缺失,并对Y染色体微缺失与男性不育相关性进行初步探讨。方法按照欧洲男科协会和欧洲分子遗传实验质控网检测指南推荐标准,采用多重PCR-液态芯片技术对648例精子发生障碍的患者和100例合格捐精者进行Y染色体微缺失筛查。结果648例精子发生障碍的患者中,发现62例患者存在Y染色体AZF区域微缺失,对应于5种缺失模式AZFa,AZFb,AZFc,AZFb c,AZFa b c。按区域统计,AZFc区域缺失的频率最高,其次是AZFb,AZFa的检出率最低。无精子症患者中微缺失的发生率为12．31％,严重少精子患者中微缺失发生率为5．43％。100例对照组没有发现任何缺失,两组比较,差异显著(P<0．001)。结论男性不育与Y染色体微缺失密切相关,本研究建立的多重PCR方法-液态芯片技术平台,用于男性不育患者的YqAZF区域筛查,结果可靠、快捷、重复性好、通量高。     

Chromosomal and Y‐chromosome microdeletion analysis in 1,300 infertile males and the fertility outcome of patients with AZFc microdeletions

The present study investigated the frequency of chromosome aberrations and AZF microdeletions in infertile patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) or severe oligozoospermia. Additionally, the effect of the AZFc microdeletions on the success of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) methods were evaluated. Peripheral blood samples were received from 1,300 infertile men with NOA and severe oligozoospermia. Karyotyping and FISH analysis were performed according to standard methods. AZF microdeletions were analysed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction or GML Y‐chromosome Microdeletion Detection System consisting of 14 markers. The chromosomal aberrations and the AZF microdeletions frequency among 1,300 infertile men were 10.6% and 4.0% respectively. Either ejaculated spermatozoa or microTESE was performed on only in 19 out of 26 patients with AZFc deletions. Of the 19 patients, four had severe oligozoospermia and 15 had NOA. In eight out of 15 NOA patients, testicular mature spermatozoa were obtained (53.3%) and then ICSI was applied to mature oocytes. After undergoing ICSI treatment, clinical pregnancy and live birth outcome rates were found to be 37.5% and 25% respectively. These results suggest that infertile patients with AZFc microdeletion could achieve successful fertilisation pregnancies with the help of assisted reproductive technology.     

Y染色体微缺失与无精子症少精子症关系的研究

目的 探讨Y染色体微缺失与无精子症、少精子症的关系.方法 应用多重聚合酶链反应技术(PCR)对127例无精子症(80例)和严重少精子症(47例)的不育患者及60例正常生育男性进行Y染色体AZF基因、DAZ外显子检测.结果 无精子和严重少精子患者Y染色体微缺失7例,缺失率5.51%.其中AZFc缺失2例,DAZ外显子缺失5例.少精子症组缺失率8.51%,无精子症组缺失率3.75%,小睾丸组的缺失率6.54%,正常睾丸组缺失率4.94%,正常生育男性AZF基因和DAZ外显子均未检测到缺失.结论 (1)AZF因子、DAZ外显子微缺失可导致无精子症、严重少精子症:(2)绝大部分无精子、严重少精子患者Y染色体AZF因子、DAZ外显子并没有微缺失,有必要再去寻找新的精子发生基因.     

Microdeleciones del gen AZF: serie de casos y revisión de la literatura

ObjectiveAproximately 10% of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and 5% with non-obstructive severe oligozoospermia carry AZF region microdeletions (AZoospermic Factor) in the Y chromosome. The aim of this study is to analize the clinical and pathological findings in this group of patients and compare them with the previous evidence.Material and methodsRetrospective study of 11 patients with diagnosis of azoospermia or oligozoospermia and the presence of AZFa, AZFb, AZFc microdeletions or any combination of them.ResultsMicrodeletions of AZFc region were found in 45% of cases, AZFa in 33% and a 10% showed a deletion of the three regions (a,b and c). 91% of them demonstrated azoospermia with low testicular volume in 62,5% cases.ConclusionMicrodeletions of AZF regions are associated with azoospermia and a low expectation of sperm retrieval in testicular biopsy. On the other hand, they seem not related with significative modifications on the hormone profile.     

Y chromosome microdeletions and varicocele as aetiological factors of male infertility: A cross‐sectional study

The pathogenic mechanisms by which varicocele disrupt spermatogenesis are not clearly understood. Over 30% of male infertility cases resulting from spermatogenic problems are associated with genetic abnormalities, and Y chromosome microdeletions are the second most frequent genetic cause. Here, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of Y chromosome microdeletion in infertile men with varicocele. A cross‐sectional study comprising 51 infertile men with varicocele presenting spermatogenesis failures was performed. Y chromosome microdeletion research was made using polymerase chain reaction. Of the 51 men with infertility and varicocele, 35.3% (18/51) had nonobstructive azoospermia and 64.7% had severe oligozoospermia. Y chromosome microdeletion was found in two cases (3.9%): one patient had nonobstructive azoospermia and complete microdeletion of the AZFb and AZFc regions, and another patient had severe oligozoospermia and complete microdeletion of the AZFc region. Although in recent years, a genetic aetiology related to Y chromosome microdeletions has become a major cause of infertility in males with spermatogenesis failures, in this study, the varicocele was the clinical cause of seminal abnormalities that could lead to infertility, suggesting that both varicocele and Y chromosome microdeletion aetiologies can present, alone or combined, as factors of male infertility.     

1052例Y染色体微缺失检测及14例微缺失家系调查

目的:通过对不育患者进行Y染色体微缺失筛查以及部分微缺失患者的家系追踪调查,探讨Y染色体微缺失父子间的自然垂直遗传特点。方法:对1 052例患者进行Y染色体无精子因子(AZF)检测,并对12例AZFc缺失患者,1例AZFb和1例AZFb+c缺失患者进行家系追踪调查,绘制AZF缺失患者男性直系家族成员男性不育家系系谱图。结果:1 052例患者,共发现Y染色体微缺失89例,其中AZFc缺失56例,AZFa缺失6例,AZFb缺失5例,AZFb+c缺失14例,AZFa+b+c缺失8例。在追踪调查的AZF缺失家系中,AZFb和AZFb+c仅先证者存在缺失,12例AZFc缺失患者中5例重度少精子症患者存在家族垂直遗传,另外1例重度少精子症患者和6例无精子症患者家系中除先证者有缺失外,其家系成员未发现缺失。结论:通过对Y染色体微缺失患者进一步的家系调查发现,仅重度少精子症的AZFc缺失患者可能由父亲垂直遗传而来,但与父系表型有差异。对AZF缺失的无精子症患者,无论何种缺失类型,由父亲垂直遗传而来的可能都不大。     

Evaluation of DAZ microdeletions in 34 infertile men

Microdeletions in Yq11 are a common molecular cause of spermatogenic failure in men and are recurrently detected in about 10-15% of idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. Screening for AZF microdeletions is often performed by multiplex PCR. AZFc deletions, involving the DAZ gene, form the majority of these deletions. The aim of this study was to evaluate in a group of 34 Tunisian infertile patients (16 oligozoospermic and 18 azoospermic men) the prevalence of DAZ microdeletions using a rapid molecular strategy: the PCR-DGGE method based on the high degree of homology between the DAZ gene and its autosomally equivalent DAZLA gene. DAZ microdeletions were detected in 8.8% of patients. The three deleted patients have a 46, XY karyotype. Two of them were azoospermic and the other had an extreme oligo-asthenoteratozoospermia with a predominant abnormality: small round head spermatozoa (Y46). Our findings suggest that PCR-DGGE method, for detection of DAZ gene deletion, could be particularly useful as a first step in the diagnosis workup of nonobstructive azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia for three reasons. First, it is a simple and fast system; second, DAZ microdeletions are the most common Y deletions; and third, partial DAZ microdeletions and mosaicism may be recognized by PCR-DGGE while only deletions removing the whole DAZ gene cluster can be detected by STS-PCR [211]. Nevertheless, this procedure has limitations because other deletions of AZFa and AZFb may go undetected. Therefore, molecular investigation by multiplex PCR must be conducted in a second step according to European guidelines for the molecular diagnosis of Y chromosome microdeletions, particularly before ICSI procedures.     

Idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia: a cross-sectional study in 61 Greek men

Idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia (INOA) consists a special group of men characterized by eugonadism, primary infertility, low testicular volume, azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia and high follicle stimulating hormone values. Aims of this study were to describe the clinical, hormonal, sperm and histological characteristics of men with INOA and to define if and to what extend men with the INOA phenotype carry Y chromosome long arm (Yq) microdeletions. Sixty-three men with INOA were studied through clinical examination, spermiograms, hormonal profile, polymerase chain reaction for Yq microdeletions, karyotype and testicular fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Sixty-seven men with infertility of known causes and sixty fertile men served as controls. Men with INOA had significantly lower total testosterone levels than fertile men as well as higher prevalence of loss of libido, higher luteinizing hormone levels and lower sperm volume whereas men with infertility of known causes had intermediate values. The prevalence of Yq microdeletions was 3% in men with INOA, 3% in men with infertility of known causes (all of them with abnormal karyotype) and 0% in fertile men. In conclusion, men with INOA have more severe testiculopathy than these with infertility of known causes. These men may be at increased risk of developing partial androgen deficiency of the aging male.     

原发性无精子症与严重少精子症患者AZF微缺失筛查

目的:观察Y染色体AZF微缺失与原发性无精子症和严重少精子症之间的关系。方法:所有筛选入实验组的研究对象均进行外周血生殖内分泌激素卵泡刺激素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)、睾酮(T)的检测及染色体核型分析,排除激素水平异常者及染色体结构与数目异常者。将符合纳入标准的实验对象67例分为原发性无精子症组(A组)49例与原发性严重少精子症组(B组)18例,正常生育男性对照(C组)40例。确定了8个实验用序列标签位点(STS),分别是:sY84、sY86、sY127、sY134、sY152、sY153、sY254、sY255,并以X/Y连锁锌指蛋白基因(ZFX/Y)为内对照进行多重PCR筛查AZF微缺失。结果:67例实验组样本中,共检测出AZF微缺失8例,缺失率为11.94%,其中AZFc区缺失的有4例,AZFa+AZFc区缺失的有2例,AZFb+AZFc区缺失的有1例,AZFb区缺失的有1例。对照组未检出AZF基因微缺失。经χ2检验,实验组与对照组AZF区域STS总缺失率有显著性差异,实验组高于对照组。结论:Y染色体长臂AZF微缺失与原发性无精子症和严重少精子症相关,多重PCR是一种快速、有效的筛查方法。     

无精子症和严重少精子症患者AZF/DAZ基因微缺失的分子生物学检测

目的　用分子生物学方法检测无精子症和严重少精子症患者无精子基因 (AZF)AZF/DAZ基因微缺失。　方法　应用聚合酶链反应 (PCR)技术对无精子症 4 7例、严重少精子症 4例进行Y染色体AZFa、AZFb、AZFc/DAZ、SRY的微缺失检测。　结果　 5 1例患者缺失率为 35 .3% (18/ 5 1) ,其中AZFa、AZFb、AZFc的微缺失分别为 4例 (7.8% )、5例 (9.8% )和 4例 (7.8% )。无精子症患者 1例 (1.9% )为AZFa、AZFb的双重缺失 ,2例 (3.9% )为AZFb、AZFc的双重缺失 ;2例 (3.9% )为AZFa、AZFb和AZFc的三重缺失 ;5 1例SRY基因PCR扩增均为阳性。 5例已有生育的正常男性均无AZFa、AZFb、AZFc、SRY的微缺失。　结论　AZF/DAZ(包括AZFa、AZFb、AZFc/DAZ)基因的微缺失是引起无精子和严重少精子导致男性不育的重要原因之一。AZF/DAZ基因微缺失的分子生物学检测对不明原因的不育男性行胞浆内单精子注射 (ICSI)时有指导意义。     

Screening of Y chromosome microdeletions in Tunisian infertile men

The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of Y chromosomal microdeletions in infertile Tunisian men. Three groups of infertile men, 65 normospermic, 53 oligozoospermic and 45 azoospermic, were tested for Yq microdeletions detection by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific Y chromosome AZF regions tagged site markers (STS). One group of 13 healthy men was used as the control group. Six STS were tested (2 in each AZF region). The general prevalence of AZF microdeletions was 16%; in azoospermia and severe oligospermia groups, it was higher (29% and 30.5%, respectively). Significant differences were found with moderate oligospermic and normospermic groups (p < 0,05). AZFc microdeletions were the most frequent, and 55% of AZFc deleted patients were oligospermic. No deletions were detected in the control group. These results add to the growing literature data, showing that microdeletions of the Y chromosome is an important cause of severe spermatogenetic defect and confirm that deletion in AZFc region is the most common and is compatible with residual spermatogenesis.     

Molecular genetic analysis of microdeletion on AZF/DAZ gene in patients with idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia in Fujian

Objective: To identify microdeletions in azoospermia factor(AZF) gene loci in patients with idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia in Fujian. Methods: Molecular genetic detection method was used to detect microdeletion at the AZFa, AZFb, AZFc /DAZ,SRY region of Y chromosome in 47 azoospermia and 4 severe oligozoospermia patients. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. The sequence tagged site (STS) primers tested in each cases were sY84(AZFa), sY 143(AZFb) sY254(AZFc).SRY region of Y chromosome for control. The PCR products were analyzed on a 2.0% agarose gel. Results: Microdeletions of the Y-chromosomal AZF loci were revealed in 18(35.3%,18/51) of 51 patients with idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. AZFa deletion was found in four (7.8%) patients, AZF b in five (9.8%) patients, AZF c in four (7.8%) patients. AZF a+b in one(1.9%)patient, AZF b+c in two (3.9%) patients, AZF a+b+c in two (3.9%)patients respectively. No deletion of SRY region was found. No deletion of AZF a, AZF b, AZF c/DAZ,SRY regions was found in five fertile male who had at least one or more children. Conclusions: Microdeletions on AZF/DAZ gene loci were major genetics defects leading to azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia in male idiopathic infertility in Fujian. It is necessary to have genetic counseling and carry out microdeletion detection on AZF/DAZ gene loci before performing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).     

特发性无精子症和严重少精子症患者Y染色体基因微缺失分析

目的：研究Y染色体基因微缺失与特发性无精子症和严重少精子症的关系，并建立一个灵敏、操作简便的分子检测方法。方法：应用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)法对65例特发性无精子症患者、27例严重少精子症患者进行Y染色体YRRM1、DAZ、DYS1基因微缺失的检测。结果：65例特发性无精子症患者中，3例发生YRRM1基因微缺失，发生率为4．6％；5例发生DAZ基因微缺失，发生率为7．7％。27例严重少精子症患者中，1例发生YRRM1基因微缺失，发生率为3．7％；2例发生DAZ基因微缺失，发生率为7．4％。92例患者中均未发现DYS1基因微缺失。结论：YRRM1和DAZ基因位点的微缺失与特发性无精子症和严重少精子症有一定的相关性，DYS1基因缺失与男性生精障碍的相关性仍需进一步研究明确。应用荧光定量PCR法检测Y染色体微缺失具有灵敏、快速、操作简便的特点。     

Outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in oligozoospermic men with Y chromosome AZFb or AZFc microdeletions

We investigated whether the presence of Y chromosome azoospermia factor (AZF) microdeletions impacts upon the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using fresh ejaculated spermatozoa. Sixteen oligozoospermia patients with Y chromosome AZFb or AZFc microdeletions and undergoing ICSI cycles between March 2013 and November 2014 were studied. Twenty‐six infertile men with normal Y chromosomes and also undergoing IVF/ICSI in the same time period were used as controls. A retrospective case–control study approach was used. Among the 16 cases, 12 (75%, 12/16) had deletions of AZFc markers (sY152, sY254 and sY255), one (6.25%, 1/16) had a deletion of sY152, and two (12.5%, 2/16) had deletions of sY152, sY254, sY255 and sY157. AZFb microdeletions were found in one patient (6.25%, 1/16). There were no significant differences between groups for cleaved embryo rate, high‐grade embryo rate, blastocyst formation rate, embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and delivery rate. The clinical outcomes of ICSI for oligozoospermic patients with Y chromosome AZF microdeletion are comparable to those of infertile patients with normal Y chromosomes. Our findings indicate that ICSI should be offered to patients with an AZFc deletion and that oligozoospermia patients with AZFb microdeletions are likely to father children.     

Vertical transmission of the Yq AZFc microdeletion from father to son over two or three generations in infertile Han Chinese families

This study was carried out to analyze the vertical transmission of Yq AZFc microdeletions from father to son in infertile Han Chinese families to investigate genetic factors and family background affecting fertility status.The peripheral blood of infertile males in 19 Han families was extracted and screened with modified multiplex polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. Family trees were drawn according to fertility status and clinical characteristics of the subjects. The vertical transmission of Yq AZFc microdeletions was detected in six cases of 19 investigated families （31.6%,6/19）. Although both fathers and sons showed a similar type of Yq AZFc deletion,the fathers were fertile,whereas the sons were infertile and showed severe oligozoospermia. The vertical transmission of Yq AZFc microdeletion from fertile fathers to infertile sons over generations is not rare. This has different effects on fertility status in fathers and sons in Han Chinese families. Both genetic factors and family background affect spermatogenetic phenotypes.     

Histology and sperm retrieval among men with Y chromosome microdeletions

In this review of Y chromosome microdeletions, azoospermia factor (AZF) deletion subtypes, histological features and microTESE sperm retrieval rates are summarized after a systematic literature review. PubMed was searched and papers were identified using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Approximately half of infertile couples have a male factor contributing to their infertility. One of the most common genetic etiologies are Y chromosome microdeletions. Men with Y chromosome microdeletions may have rare sperm available in the ejaculate or undergo surgical sperm retrieval and subsequent intracytoplasmic sperm injection to produce offspring. Azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia are the most common semen analysis findings found in men with Y chromosome microdeletions, associated with impaired spermatogenesis. Men with complete deletions of azoospermia factor a, b, or a combination of any loci have severely impaired spermatogenesis and are nearly always azoospermic with no sperm retrievable from the testis. Deletions of the azoospermia factor c or d often have sperm production and the highest likelihood of a successful sperm retrieval. In men with AZFc deletions, histologically, 46% of men demonstrate Sertoli cell only syndrome on biopsy, whereas 38.2% have maturation arrest and 15.7% have hypospermatogenesis. The microTESE sperm retrieval rates in AZFc-deleted men range from 13-100% based on the 32 studies analyzed, with a mean sperm retrieval rate of 47%.