TNFalpha -308 C-->t and -863 C-->a polymorphisms and spermiogram characteristics.
BACKGROUND
Genetic factors may play a role in male infertility.


METHODS
In a prospective case-control study, we assessed the allele and genotype frequencies of the TNFalpha -308 C-->T and -863 C-->A polymorphisms, detected by PCR of sperm DNA, of 577 Caucasian men recruited in an infertility clinic. Semen sampling was performed and spermiogram results were correlated to genetic data.


RESULTS
The allele frequencies of the TNFalpha -308 C-->T and -863 C-->A polymorphisms were not significantly different between non-normozoospermic (n = 447) and normozoospermic (n = 130) men [758/894 (85%) and 134/894 (15%) vs. 213/269 (82%) and 43/260 (18%), p = 0.5, odds ratio (OR) 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-1.76, and 749/894 (84%) and 145/894 (16%) vs. 212/260 (82%) and 48/260 (18%), p = 0.4, OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.78-1.76, respectively]. The genotype frequencies of the TNFalpha -308 C-->T and -863 C-->A polymorphisms were also not significantly different between non-normozoospermic and normozoospermic men. In addition, mutant alleles were not overrepresented in subgroups of men with the oligoasthenoteratozoospermia syndrome and asthenozoospermia.


CONCLUSIONS
The TNFalpha -308 C-->T and -863 C-->A polymorphisms are not associated with spermiogram characteristics and do not represent molecular markers for genetic susceptibility to male infertility.
Kurz
Christine
C
Department of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Vienna School of Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
Bentz
Eva-Katrin
EK
Denschlag
Dominik
D
Berner
Isabel
I
Keck
Christoph
C
Tempfer
Clemens B
CB
Pietrowski
Detlef
D
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha