This study aimed to investigate the genetic etiology of male infertility patients.
A total of 1600 male patients with infertility, including 1300 cases of azoospermia and 300 cases of severe oligozoospermia, underwent routine semen analysis, chromosomal karyotype analysis and sex hormone level testing. The Azoospermia factor (AZF) on the Y chromosome was detected using the multiple fluorescence quantitative PCR technique. Additionally, copy number variation (CNV) analysis was performed on patients with Sertoli-cell-only syndrome who had a normal karyotype and AZF.
Chromosomal abnormalities were found in 334 cases (20.88 %) of the 1600 male infertility patients. The most common type of abnormality was sex chromosome abnormalities (18.94 %), with 47, XXY being the most frequent abnormal karyotype. The rates of chromosomal abnormalities were significantly different between the azoospermia group and the severe oligospermia group (23.69 % and 8.67 %, respectively; P<0.05). AZF microdeletions were detected in 155 cases (9.69 %), with various deletion types and AZFc region microdeletion being the most prevalent. The rates of AZF microdeletions were not significantly different between the azoospermia group and the severe oligospermia group (9.15 % and 12 %, respectively; P=0.133). In 92 patients with Sertoli-cell-only syndrome who had a normal karyotype and AZF, the detection rate of CNV was 16.3 %. Compared to the severe oligospermia group, the azoospermia group had higher levels of FSH and LH and lower levels of T and E2, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).
Male infertility is a complex multifactorial disease, with chromosomal abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions being important genetic factors leading to the disease. Initial genetic testing of infertile men should include karyotyping and Y chromosome microdeletions. If necessary, CNV testing should be performed to establish a clinical diagnosis and provide individualized treatment for male infertility.
Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry. 2024 Sep 20 [Epub ahead of print]
Bing Yi Zhou, Wen Ting Fu, Heng Gu, Ming Zhen Li, Xiao Bin Zhong, Jia Tang
NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute (Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital), Guangzhou 510060, China., NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute (Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital), Guangzhou 510060, China; School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China., NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute (Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital), Guangzhou 510060, China; School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. Electronic address: .