title: AZF gene microdeletions: case series and literature review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aproximately 10% of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and 5% with non-obstructive severe oligozoospermia carry AZF region microdeletions (AZoospermic Factor) in the Y chromosome. The aim of this study is to analize the clinical and pathological findings in this group of patients and compare them with the previous evidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study of 11 patients with diagnosis of azoospermia or oligozoospermia and the presence of AZFa, AZFb, AZFc microdeletions or any combination of them.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Microdeletions of AZFc region were found in 45% of cases, AZFa in 33% and a 10% showed a deletion of the three regions (a,b and c). 91% of them demonstrated azoospermia with low testicular volume in 62,5% cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microdeletions of AZF regions are associated with azoospermia and a low expectation of sperm retrieval in testicular biopsy. On the other hand, they seem not related with significative modifications on the hormone profile.
authors: Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, España. Electronic address: angel_gallego86@hotmail.com.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Gallego
authors: Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, España.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Rogel
authors: Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, España.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Luján
authors: Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, España.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Plaza
authors: Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, España.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Delgado
authors: Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, España.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Boronat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053713:Azoospermia / Q000235:genetics*; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000235:genetics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Azoospermia; Azoospermic factor; Genetics; Genética; Infertilidad primaria; Microdeleción Y; Primary infertility; Y chromosome microdeletion