Y chromosome TSPY copy numbers and semen quality.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether variation in testis-specific protein Y-encoded (TSPY) gene copy number affects semen quality.


METHODS
Nested case-control study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
From a consecutive cohort of 1,016 male partners of subfertile couples, unselected for sperm counts, we selected as cases 100 men with the lowest total number of progressively motile sperm (TMC) and as controls, 100 men with the highest total number of progressively motile sperm.


METHODS
Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot to determine TSPY copy number.


METHODS
TSPY copy number.


RESULTS
The quantitative PCR method showed excellent agreement with the Southern blot analysis. Cases had a median TSPY copy number of 35 (range 20-73), whereas controls had a median TSPY copy number of 34 (range 26-76). This difference was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
We found no association between TSPY copy numbers and severe spermatogenic failure. The observed variation in TSPY copy number therefore appears to have no functional consequences for semen quality.
Nickkholgh
Bita
B
Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Noordam
Michiel J
MJ
Hovingh
Suzanne E
SE
van Pelt
Ans M M
AM
van der Veen
Fulco
F
Repping
Sjoerd
S
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y / Q000235:genetics*; D018628:Gene Dosage / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; C497749:TSPY1 protein, human