A preliminary study of the relationship between the long arm of the Y chromosome (Yqh+) and reproductive outcomes in IVF/ICSI-ET

Objective

To compare the reproductive outcomes of Yqh+-carrying and control couples undergoing IVF/ICSI treatments.

Study design

Retrospective analysis of 72 Yqh+ carriers and 986 Yqh+ non-carriers undergoing their first cycle of ART in a single centre between August 2005 and May 2011.

Results

Yqh+ carrying couples had significantly worse reproductive outcomes compared with control couples undergoing IVF treatment. There were a significantly higher cancellation rate (20.69% vs 7.9%; P < 0.05; OR, 3.03; CI, 1.18–7.79) and a significant lower fertilisation rate (50.05% vs 66.01%; P < 0.05; OR, 0.61; CI, 0.49–0.57), implantation rate (8.33% vs 20.87%; P < 0.05; OR, 0.35; CI, 0.14–0.87), good quality embryo ratio (44.70% vs 57.89%; P < 0.05; OR, 0.59; CI, 0.43–0.80) and clinical pregnancy rate (17.39% vs 39.59%; P < 0.05; OR, 0.32; CI, 0.11–0.96) in Yqh+ group compared with control group undergoing IVF treatment. Yqh+ carrying couples had similar reproductive outcomes compared with control couples undergoing ICSI treatment.

Conclusions

The Y chromosome polymorphic variant Yqh+ most likely plays a role in infertility. Yqh+ couples with poor reproductive outcomes in IVF treatment can be advised to undergo ICSI to improve their reproductive results in the next cycle.