title: [Observation of spermatogenic cells for infertile patients with Y-chromosomal microdeletion].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the spermatogenic function of the infertile patients with Y-chromosomal microdeletion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five 23-44 years old patients with microdeletions of Y chromosome were included in this study. Three semen analyses confirmed that 26 cases were non-obstructive azoospermia and 9 oligospermia with sperm count < 1 x 10(6)/ml. They were divided into 3 groups by the locus of deletion, 5 cases of AZFa + b + c deletion in group 1, 4 cases of AZFb + c and 3 cases of AZFb deletion in group 2, and 23 cases of AZFc deletion in group 3. Semen was collected and centrifuged, the supernatant removed and the centrifugate applied on the clean slides after dilution. Following Wright's-Giemsa staining, the slides were viewed under the microscope. Testis histopathological biopsy was performed for 6 of the cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In group 1, no spermatogenic cells were observed but only Sertoli cells in 1 case, with a consistency between the result of spermatogenic cell test and that of testis biopsy. In group 2, spermatogenic cell tests revealed spermatocytes in 6 cases, 2 were proved by testis biopsy with sperm maturation arrest in the primary spermatocyte stage, and spermatogenic cells of all developmental stages were seen in 1 AZFb deletion patient with the same sperm maturation arrest as the above two. In group 3, only primary spermatocytes were detected by spermatogenic cell test in 5 oligospermia patients but no spermatogenic cells in the 15 azoospermia cases, and biopsy revealed 2 cases of Sertoli cell-only syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The spermatogenic cell test can effectively assess the spermatogenic function of AZF deletion patients. Non-invasive and easily accepted by patients, it is highly recommendable for the evaluation of spermatogenesis of patients with Y-chromosomal microdeletion.
authors.affiliation: PLA Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Region, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China.
authors.forename: Hong-Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Ying-Xia
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Yi-Chao
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Xin-Yi
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Yi-Feng
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Yu-Feng
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology*; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology