Y-chromosomal microdeletions among infertile Finnish men.
BACKGROUND
Microdeletions in the Y-chromosome are known to cause a significant proportion of azoo- and oligozoospermia in men. The reported frequency of deletions varies greatly between the studies. Probable reasons for this variation are different selection criteria and number of patients included, and possibly also methodological aspects, whereas the contribution of environmental and genetic factors is not known. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of Y-chromosome microdeletions among infertile Finnish men.


METHODS
Two hundred and one men showing azoospermia (n=68) or severe oligozoospermia (n=133) were included. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction method was used to amplify specific sequence tagged sites (STS) along the Y chromosome.


RESULTS
Microdeletions were observed in 18 men (9%), of whom four were azoospermic and 14 oligozoospermic.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of Y-deletions in the study population of infertile Finnish men falls within the range published in other countries.
Aho
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Huddinge University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden.
Härkönen
K
K
Suikkari
A M
AM
Juvonen
V
V
Anttila
L
L
Lähdetie
J
J
D000328:Adult; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D017353:Gene Deletion; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012729:Sex Chromosome Aberrations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D014998:Y Chromosome / Q000235:genetics*
D004247:DNA