Open AccessAZF microdeletions and partial deletions of AZFc region on the Y chromosome in Moroccan men
Author(s) -
Imken Laila,
El Houate Brahim,
Chafik Abdelaziz,
Nahili Halima,
Boulouiz Redouane,
Abidi Omar,
Chadli Elbakkay,
Louanjli Noureddine,
Elfath Abdelouhab,
Hassar Mohammed,
McElreavey Ken,
Barakat Abdelhamid,
Rouba Hassan
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
asian journal of andrology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1745-7262
pISSN - 1008-682X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2007.00290.x
Subject(s) - male infertility , genetics , y chromosome microdeletion , haplogroup , biology , y chromosome , infertility , gene , genotype , haplotype , pregnancy
Aim: To evaluate for the first time the frequency of Y chromosome microdeletions and the occurrence of the partial deletions of AZFc region in Moroccan men, and to discuss the clinical significance of AZF deletions. Methods : We screened Y chromosome microdeletions and partial deletions of the AZFc region of a consecutive group of infertile men ( n = 149) and controls (100 fertile men, 76 normospermic men). AZFa, AZFb, AZFc and partial deletions of the AZFc region were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) according to established protocols. Results : Among the 127 infertile men screened for microdeletion, four subjects were found to have microdeletions: two AZFc deletions and two AZFb+AZFc deletions. All the deletions were found only in azoospermic subjects (4/48, 8.33%). The overall AZFc deletion frequency was low (4/127, 3.15%). AZF microdeletions were not observed in either oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OATS) or the control. Partial deletions of AZFc (gr/gr) were observed in a total of 7 of the 149 infertile men (4.70%) and 7 partial AZFc deletions (gr/gr) were found in the control group (7/176, 3.98%). In addition, two b2/b3 deletions were identified in two azoospermic subjects (2/149, 1.34%) but not in the control group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the frequency of Y chromosome AZF microdeletions is elevated in individuals with severe spermatogenic failure and that gr/gr deletions are not associated with spermatogenic failure.