Frequency of Y chromosome microdeletions and chromosomal abnormalities in infertile Thai men with oligozoospermia and azoospermia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible causes of oligozoospermia and azoospermia in infertile Thai men, and to find the frequencies of Y chromosome microdeletions and cytogenetic abnormalities in this group.


METHODS
From June 2003 to November 2005, 50 azoospermic and 80 oligozoospermic men were enrolled in the study. A detailed history was taken for each man, followed by general and genital examinations. Y chromosome microdeletions were detected by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 11 gene-specific primers that covered all three regions of the azoospermic factor (AZFa, AZFb and AZFc). Fifty men with normal semen analysis were also studied. Karyotyping was done with the standard G- and Q-banding. Serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL) and testosterone were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassays (ECLIA).


RESULTS
Azoospermia and oligozoospermia could be explained by previous orchitis in 22.3%, former bilateral cryptorchidism in 19.2%, abnormal karyotypes in 4.6% and Y chromosome microdeletions in 3.8% of the subjects. The most frequent deletions were in the AZFc region (50%), followed by AZFb (33%) and AZFbc (17%). No significant difference was detected in hormonal profiles of infertile men, with or without microdeletions.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequencies of Y chromosome microdeletions and cytogenetic abnormalities in oligozoospermic and azoospermic Thai men are comparable with similarly infertile men from other Asian and Western countries.
Vutyavanich
Teraporn
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. tvutyava@mail.med.cmu.ac.th
Piromlertamorn
Waraporn
W
Sirirungsi
Wasna
W
Sirisukkasem
Supachai
S
D053713:Azoospermia / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D017931:DNA Primers; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D007621:Karyotyping; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D012729:Sex Chromosome Aberrations; D014997:XYY Karyotype
D017931:DNA Primers; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone