title: Susceptibility gene for non-obstructive azoospermia in the HLA class II region: correlations with Y chromosome microdeletion and spermatogenesis.
abstract: We previously reported an association between the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotype DRB1*1302-DQB1*0604 in the HLA class II region and non-obstructive azoospermia in Japanese men. To identify possible associations between the HLA-DRB1*1302-DQB1*0604 allele in the HLA class II region and azoospermia factor (AZF) deletion in the Y chromosome, we performed genomic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the AZF region. We then determined spermatogenic impairment (Johnsen score) in testicular biopsy specimens from patients with or without the DRB1*1302-DQB1*0604 haplotype. The AZF microdeletion rate in patients with this haplotype was 3.85%, compared with 11.8% in others (no correlation). However, Johnsen scores in patients with the DRB1*1302-DQB1*0604 haplotype were 3.13 +/- 1.34 (mean +/- SD), compared with 3.70 +/- 1.51 in others (p < 0.05). While the DRB1*1302-DQB1*0604 haplotype acts independently from Y chromosome deletion, the haplotype might either act directly, or be functionally related to an unknown autosomal gene. In either case, this haplotype showed association with severe spermatogenic impairment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takao
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsujimura
authors.forename: Masaharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sada
authors.forename: Rieko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koga
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miyagawa
authors.forename: Kiyomi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsumiya
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takahara
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okuyama
mesh_terms: D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens