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Melikyan LP, Bliznetz EA, Polyakov AV, Mironovich OL, Kuznetsova IA, Sorokina TM, Shtaut MI, Sedova AO, Kurilo LF, Solovova OA, Chernykh VB. Polymorphism of CAG Repeats in Exon 1 of the Androgen Receptor Gene in Russian Men with Various Forms of Pathozoospermia. RUSS J GENET+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795420080104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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2
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Mobasseri N, Babaei F, Karimian M, Nikzad H. Androgen receptor ( AR)-CAG trinucleotide repeat length and idiopathic male infertility: a case-control trial and a meta-analysis. EXCLI JOURNAL 2018; 17:1167-1179. [PMID: 30713477 PMCID: PMC6341423 DOI: 10.17179/excli2018-1744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
CAG trinucleotide repeats in androgen receptor (AR) gene encode a polyglutamine tract in AR N-terminal transactivation domain. Studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of CAG repeat length on male infertility, which have yielded contradictory results. This study aimed to explore the number of AR-CAG repeats in 150 fertile controls and 150 idiopathic infertile men, divided into four azoospermia, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia subgroups. In addition, a meta-analysis was conducted based on previous studies to assess the association of the mentioned variation with male infertility in recent years. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting followed by an electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel was used for AR-CAG genotype detecting. Moreover, a systematic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases to collect eligible studies for meta-analysis purpose. According to the results, a significant association was observed between increased length of AR-CAG polymorphism and male infertility (p< 0.0001). Furthermore, there were similar significant associations in the azoospermia (p= 0.048), asthenozoospermia (p= 0.013) and teratozoospermia (p= 0.002) subgroups. In addition, meta-analysis on forty studies showed a significant association between AR-CAG polymorphism in the overall analysis (SMD= 0.199, 95 % CI= 0.112-0.287, p<0.001) and the Caucasian subgroup (SMD= 0.151, 95 % CI= 0.040-0.263, p= 0.008). Our results elucidated that long stretches of CAG repeat might lead to AR dysfunction, contributing to male infertility especially in the Caucasian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Mobasseri
- Gametogenesis Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Faezeh Babaei
- Gametogenesis Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Karimian
- Gametogenesis Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Hossein Nikzad
- Gametogenesis Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
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Xiao F, Lan A, Lin Z, Song J, Zhang Y, Li J, Gu K, Lv B, Zhao D, Zeng S, Zhang R, Zhao W, Pan Z, Deng X, Yang X. Impact of CAG repeat length in the androgen receptor gene on male infertility - a meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online 2016; 33:39-49. [PMID: 27157932 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2016.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
CAG repeats are polymorphic nucleotide repeats present in the androgen receptor gene. Many studies have estimated the association between CAG repeat length and male infertility, but the conclusions are controversial. Previous meta-analyses have come to different conclusions; however, new studies have been published. An updated meta-analysis was conducted. PubMed, CBM, CNKI and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for studies published from 1 January 2000 to 1 October 2015. Case-control studies on the association between CAG repeat length and male infertility using appropriate methodology were included. Forty studies were selected, including 3858 cases and 3161 controls. Results showed statistically significantly longer CAG repeat length among cases compared with controls (SMD = 0.14; 95% CI, 0.02-0.26). Shorter repeat length was associated with a lower risk of male infertility compared with a longer repeat length in the overall analysis (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66-0.95). Moreover, CAG repeat length was associated with male infertility in Caucasian populations, but not Asian or Egyptian populations. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant difference in German populations, but CAG repeat length was associated with male infertility in China and the USA. There were no significant differences between cases and controls in azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifan Xiao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China; Medical Scientific Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Aihua Lan
- Medical Scientific Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhidi Lin
- Medical Scientific Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi, China
| | - Jianfei Song
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuening Zhang
- Medical Scientific Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jiatong Li
- Medical Scientific Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Kailong Gu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Baihao Lv
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Dong Zhao
- Medical Scientific Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Siping Zeng
- Urology Medical Research Center, Department of Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Ruoheng Zhang
- Medical Scientific Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- First Clinical Academy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhengyan Pan
- First Clinical Academy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaozhen Deng
- First Clinical Academy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaoli Yang
- Medical Scientific Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
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Pan B, Li R, Chen Y, Tang Q, Wu W, Chen L, Lu C, Pan F, Ding H, Xia Y, Hu L, Chen D, Sha J, Wang X. Genetic Association Between Androgen Receptor Gene CAG Repeat Length Polymorphism and Male Infertility: A Meta-Analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e2878. [PMID: 26962784 PMCID: PMC4998865 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000002878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The association between polymorphism of androgen receptor gene CAG (AR-CAG) and male infertility in several studies was controversial. Based on studies on association between AR-CAG repeat length and male infertility in recent years, an updated meta-analysis is needed. We aimed to evaluate the association between AR-CAG repeat length and male infertility in advantage of the data in all published reports.We searched for reports published before August 2015 using PubMed, CNKI, VIP, and WanFang. Data on sample size, mean, and standard deviation (SD) of AR-CAG repeat length were extracted independently by 3 investigators.Forty-four reports were selected based on criteria. The overall infertile patients and azoospermic patients were found to have longer AR-CAG repeat length (standard mean difference (SMD) = 0.19, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.10-0.28, P < 0.01; SMD = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.10-0.61, P < 0.01). AR-CAG repeat length was longer in infertile men in Asian, Caucasian, and mixed races (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08-0.43, P <0.01; SMD = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.02-0.25, P <0.05; SMD = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.15-0.63, P <0.01). The overall study shows that increased AR-CAG repeat length was associated with male infertility. The subgroup study on races shows that increased AR-CAG repeat length was associated with male infertility in Asian, Caucasian, and mixed races. Increased AR-CAG repeat length was also associated with azoospermia.This meta-analysis supports that increased androgen receptor CAG length is capable of causing male infertility susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bihui Pan
- From the State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (BP, RL, YC, WW, CL, YX, XW), Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education (BP, RL, YC, WW, CL, YX, XW), Nanjing Medical University; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (QT, HD), Department of Obstetrics, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (WW, LH, DC), Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics (LC), The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (FP), Department of Andrology, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University; and State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (JS), Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Mostafa T, El-Shahid LH, El Azeem AA, Shaker O, Gomaa H, Abd El Hamid HM. Androgen receptor-CAG repeats in infertile Egyptian men. Andrologia 2011; 44:147-51. [PMID: 21714804 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2010.01125.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the androgen receptor (AR) codon amino acids glutamine (CAG) repeats in 185 Egyptian men divided into fertile controls (n = 30), oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) men (n = 35), nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) men (n = 120; 18 successful testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and 102 unsuccessful TESE cases). They were subjected to history taking, genital examination, semen analysis, testicular biopsies for NOA cases, serum hormones and CAG repeats by PCR. The mean AR-CAG repeats showed significant difference between NOA group compared with fertile controls or OAT groups. Nonsignificant difference was elicited between OAT group and fertile controls. In NOA cases, CAG repeats demonstrated nonsignificant difference between unsuccessful and successful TESE. AR-CAG repeats elicited significant negative correlation with sperm count, significant positive correlation with sperm normal forms percentage and nonsignificant correlations with sperm motility per cent, tested serum hormones or testicular volume. It is concluded that AR-CAG repeats in Egyptian infertile men are in the range of other international or regional studies. AR-CAG repeats have demonstrated nonsignificant difference regarding TESE outcome in NOA cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Mostafa
- Department of Andrology & Sexology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
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Tong D, Deng J, Sun H, Chen L, Wu X. The relationship between CAG repeat length polymorphism and infertility in Southern Chinese Han women. J Endocrinol Invest 2010; 33:559-63. [PMID: 20190557 DOI: 10.1007/bf03346648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To research the relationship between polymorphism of trinucleotide (CAG)n repeat alleles of the Exon 1 of androgen receptor gene and women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or with endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and forty-one control women and 74 women with PCOS and with endometriosis were recruited. The (CAG)n repeat alleles were genotyped with 3100 genetic analyser. The repeat number and frequency distributions of (CAG)n alleles were compared and analyzed statistically. RESULTS The results showed that mean repeat number of the (CAG)n was significantly lower in women with PCOS than in controls (p<0.001). The mean repeat number of the (CAG)n was significantly different between infertile women with endometriosis (p<0.05). However, the differences between infertile women with PCOS and fertile women with PCOS was not significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS These data indicated that (CAG)n repeat polymorphism have some influence, but have not a straight relationship in infertile women with PCOS and with endometriosis in this research population.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Tong
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, China
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Nenonen HA, Giwercman A, Hallengren E, Giwercman YL. Non-linear association between androgen receptor CAG repeat length and risk of male subfertility--a meta-analysis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 34:327-32. [PMID: 20579136 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2010.01084.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The CAG repeat in the androgen receptor (AR) has been widely studied in association with male infertility, but the results are conflicting. In a recent meta-analysis, infertile men had <1 repeat longer CAG stretch than fertile men when analysed in a linear regression model assuming that AR function diminishes with increasing CAG length. However, in vitro, a non-linear activity pattern was recently demonstrated so that ARs containing short and long stretches, respectively, displayed lower activity than the AR of median length. These results prompted us to explore the possible association between CAG number and male infertility risk in a stratified manner on the basis of data from the mentioned meta-analysis and subjects from our clinical unit. The study population included 3915 men, 1831 fertile and 2084 infertile. Data were divided into three categories: CAG<22, CAG 22-23 (reference) and CAG>23 and analysed in a binary logistic regression model. Men with CAG<22 and CAG>23 had 20% increased odds ratio of infertility compared with carriers of the median lengths [for CAG<22: p=0.03, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.39; for CAG>23: p=0.02, 95% CI: 1.03-1.44]. These results show that an alternative model to a linear one for the genotype-phenotype association in relation to AR CAG repeats is likely, as lengths close to the median confine lowest risk of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- H A Nenonen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Molecular Genetic Reproductive Medicine, Lund University Reproductive Medicine Centre, Molecular Reproductive Medicine Research Unit, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
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Werner R, Grötsch H, Hiort O. 46,XY disorders of sex development--the undermasculinised male with disorders of androgen action. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010; 24:263-77. [PMID: 20541151 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2009.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Insensitivity to the action of androgens is a common cause of undermasculinisation in 46,XY individuals. These disorders are a result of the failure of major androgens to act via the intracellular androgen receptor and, thus, the genomic effects of androgen signalling are disrupted. The phenotype of affected individuals can vary considerably, depending on the dysfunction of the receptor. In childhood, the diagnosis is often complicated due to the lack of sensitive biochemical determinants, whilst during adolescence and in adults, the diagnosis can be readily made because of the striking clinical feminisation and a conclusive laboratory analysis. A variety of mutations in the androgen receptor have been analysed, providing insight into the complex pathways of intracellular processing and signal transduction via the androgen receptor. Endocrine therapy in androgen-insensitivity syndrome is controversial, because till date the special hormonal profiles in androgen insensitivity have not been acknowledged in replacement strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Werner
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Paediatrics, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck, Germany
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Hemmi S, Inoue K, Kutoku Y, Rikimaru M, Murakami T, Sunada Y. [Two brothers with very late onset of muscle weakness in X-linked recessive spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku 2009; 49:22-6. [PMID: 19227892 DOI: 10.5692/clinicalneurol.49.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a motor neuron disease characterized by slowly progressive spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy associated with signs of androgen insensitivity including gynecomastia. This disease becomes prominent clinically in the fourth and fifth decades of life. Mutations of the androgen receptor (AR) gene associated with an expansion of CAG repeats is the cause of this disease. Here we report a unique family case in two brothers with SBMA with very late onset of muscular weakness. Motor functional symptoms in the two brothers developed at the ages of 66 and 78 years. The number of CAG repeats in the AR gene in both patients was 42. According to previous reports, the number of CAG repeats is related to the age at onset of muscular weakness. Our patient's conditions were consistent with this concept as there was a short expansion of 42 CAG repeats linked to the clinical phenotype of very late onset of muscular weakness. However, the issue of whether the number of CAG repeats is related to the age at onset of androgen insensitivity is still controversial. In the younger brother, gynecomastia appeared in his 20's and preceded the development of muscular weakness by about 40 years, whereas the gynecomastia in the older brother was unremarkable throughout his life. Our brother cases, which had the same number of CAG repeats and should share many common genetic factors, exhibited the androgen insensitivity differed. We therefore consider that an expansion of CAG repeats in the AR gene is not necessarily related to the age at onset of androgen insensitivity. In conclusion, the etiologies of muscular weakness and androgen insensitivity in SBMA could be different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoji Hemmi
- Department of Neurology, Kawasaki Medical School
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10
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The androgen receptor and prostate cancer: A role for sexual selection and sexual conflict? Med Hypotheses 2008; 70:435-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2007.04.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2007] [Accepted: 04/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Westerveld H, Visser L, Tanck M, van der Veen F, Repping S. CAG repeat length variation in the Androgen Receptor gene is not associated with spermatogenic failure. Fertil Steril 2008; 89:253-9. [PMID: 17889867 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2006] [Revised: 02/02/2007] [Accepted: 02/02/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Previous association studies that described the effect of an enlarged CAG repeat length in the Androgen Receptor (AR) gene on spermatogenesis could not prove or refute a true association because of methodological weaknesses. Here, we clearly show that there is no association between CAG repeat length variation and semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrike Westerveld
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Davis-Dao CA, Tuazon ED, Sokol RZ, Cortessis VK. Male infertility and variation in CAG repeat length in the androgen receptor gene: a meta-analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007; 92:4319-26. [PMID: 17684052 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2007-1110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Many studies have investigated the association between male infertility and trinucleotide repeat polymorphisms in the androgen receptor (AR) gene, but no comprehensive meta-analysis of all published studies has been conducted. OBJECTIVE Our goals were to summarize published data on associations between AR CAG and GGC repeat lengths and male infertility and investigate sources of variation between study results. DATA SOURCES We searched for reports published before October 2006 using Medline, PubMed, and Web of Science. STUDY SELECTION All selected studies included the following: a case group with infertility as measured by semen parameters, a control group of known or presumed fertile men, and measurement of CAG and/or GGC repeat lengths among cases and controls. Thirty-nine reports were selected based on these criteria, and 33 were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. DATA EXTRACTION One investigator extracted data on sample size, mean and sd of trinucleotide repeat length, and study characteristics. DATA SYNTHESIS Estimates of the standardized mean difference (95% confidence interval) were 0.19 (0.09-0.29) for the 33 studies and 0.31 (0.14-0.47) for a subset of 13 studies that used more stringent case and control selection criteria. Thus, in both groups, cases had statistically significantly longer CAG repeat length than controls. Publication date appeared to be a significant source of variation between studies. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis provides support for an association between increased androgen receptor CAG length and idiopathic male infertility, suggesting that even subtle disruptions in the androgen axis may compromise male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol A Davis-Dao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Avenue, MC-9175, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
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Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) gene has been extensively studied in diverse clinical conditions. In addition to the point mutations, trinucleotide repeat (CAG and GGN) length polymorphisms have been an additional subject of interest and controversy among geneticists. The polymorphic variations in triplet repeats have been associated with a number of disorders, but at the same time contradictory findings have also been reported. Further, studies on the same disorder in different populations have generated different results. Therefore, combined analysis or review of the published studies has been of much value to extract information on the significance of variations in the gene in various clinical conditions. AR genetics has been reviewed extensively but until now review articles have focused on individual clinical categories such as androgen insensitivity, male infertility, prostate cancer, and so on. We have made the first effort to review most the aspects of AR genetics. The impact of androgens in various disorders and polymorphic variations in the AR gene is the main focus of this review. Additionally, the correlations observed in various studies have been discussed in the light of in vitro evidences available for the effect of AR gene variations on the action of androgens.
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MESH Headings
- Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome/genetics
- Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome/physiopathology
- Bone Diseases, Metabolic/genetics
- Bone Diseases, Metabolic/physiopathology
- Breast Neoplasms/genetics
- Breast Neoplasms/physiopathology
- Cognition Disorders/genetics
- Cognition Disorders/physiopathology
- Digestive System Diseases/genetics
- Digestive System Diseases/physiopathology
- Female
- Genital Neoplasms, Female/genetics
- Genital Neoplasms, Female/physiopathology
- Genital Neoplasms, Male/genetics
- Genital Neoplasms, Male/physiopathology
- Humans
- Infertility, Male/genetics
- Male
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/genetics
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/physiopathology
- Phenotype
- Point Mutation
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/genetics
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/physiopathology
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Pre-Eclampsia/genetics
- Pre-Eclampsia/physiopathology
- Pregnancy
- Receptors, Androgen/genetics
- Receptors, Androgen/physiology
- Schizophrenia/genetics
- Schizophrenia/physiopathology
- Testosterone/deficiency
- Trinucleotide Repeats
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Affiliation(s)
- Singh Rajender
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500007, India
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Abstract
Cag Repeat Number in Androgen Receptor Gene and Male InfertilityAndrogens are essential for male sexual development and for fertility. They exert their action through the androgen receptor (AR), a ligandactivated transcription factor. The 5' end of exon 1 of the AR gene includes a polymorphic CAG triplet repeat that varies in number between 10 to 36 in the normal population. There is controversy over an association between high CAG repeat numbers in the AR gene and male infertility. We have evaluated the possible effect of long CAG repeats in the AR on infertility in men from the Republic of Macedonia (R. Macedonia). A group of 222 infertile/subfertile males with different sperm counts and a control group of 152 proven fathers were studied. The CAG repeat number was determined by fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of exon 1 of the AR gene analyzed by capillary electrophoresis. Mean CAG length did not differ significantly between males with azoospermia (22.0 ± 3.1), mild oligozoospermia (22.4 ± 2.6), severe oligozoospermia (23.0 ± 4.2), normozoospermia (21.8 ± 2.4), or known causes of infertility (22.1 ± 2.9) and fertile controls (22.3 ± 2.9). However, we found a significantly higher percentage of CAG repeats >26 (p = 0.022), >27 (p = 0.018) and >28 (p = 0.009) in males with mild oligozoospermia. These results indicate a possible association between CAG repeat length and mild oligozoospermia. Further studies on a larger number of patients with mild oligozoospermia are warranted to confirm this association.
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