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Thanh TN, Tien ST, Van PN, Thai SD, Cong TL, Le TD, Nguyen ST, Van TT, Duong HH, Bui TM, Nguyen KT. Optimization of Multiplex-PCR Technique To Determine Azf Deletions in infertility Male Patients. Int J Gen Med 2024; 17:1579-1589. [PMID: 38690198 PMCID: PMC11059631 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s455513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background To optimize the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) technique to diagnose microdeletions of azoospermia factors (AZF) on the Y chromosome and initially apply the technique to diagnose male patients with sperm density less than 5×106 million sperm/mL was assigned to do a test to check for AZF microdeletions on the Y chromosome. Methods Based on the positive control samples which belong to male subjects who have had 2 healthy children without any assisted reproductive technologies, the M-PCR method was developed to detect simultaneously and accurately AZF microdeletions on 32 male patients with sperm densities below 5×106 million sperm/mL of semen at the Department of Biology and Medical Genetics - Vietnam Military Medical University. Results Successful optimization of the M-PCR technique including 7 reactions arranged according to each AZFabc region using 24 STS/gene on the Y chromosome. Initial application to diagnose AZF deletion on 32 azoospermic and oligospermic men reveals that AZFa deletion accounts for 6.25% (2/32); deletion of all 3 regions AZFa,b,c with 18.75% (6/32 cases); The combined deletion rate of AZFb,c is highest, accounting for 56.24% (18/32 patients). Conclusion Successfully optimized the M-PCR technique in identifying AZF microdeletions using 24 sequence tagged sites (STS)/gene for azoospermic and oligozoospermic men. The M-PCR technique has great potential in the application of AZF deletion diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tung Nguyen Thanh
- Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
| | - Sang Trieu Tien
- Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
| | - Phong Nguyen Van
- Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
| | - Son Dang Thai
- Institute of Biological and Food Technology, Hanoi Open University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
| | - Thuc Luong Cong
- Cardiovascular Center, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
| | - Tuan Dinh Le
- Department of Rheumatology and Endocrinology, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
| | - Son Tien Nguyen
- Department of Rheumatology and Endocrinology, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
| | - Tuan Tran Van
- Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Huy Duong
- Department of Neurology, Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, 410000, Vietnam
| | - Tien Minh Bui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, 410000, Vietnam
| | - Kien Trung Nguyen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, 410000, Vietnam
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Xie S, Ma Y, Liu Y, Tao D, Wang Z, Yang Y. Primary azoospermia factor C duplication associated with spermatogenic impariment: a case-control study based on Y-chromosome haplogrouping in a Han Chinese population. Andrology 2024; 12:561-569. [PMID: 37594248 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Azoospermia factor C (AZFc) in the male-specific region of Y-chromosome (MSY) presents wide structure variation mainly due to frequent non-allele homologous recombination, leading to significant copy number variation of the AZFc-linked coding sequences involving in spermatogenesis. A large number of studies had been conducted to investigate the association between AZFc deletions and male infertility in certain Y chromosome genetic backgrounds, however, the influence of primary AZFc duplication on spermatogenesis remained controversial and the cause of the discrepant outcomes is unknown. METHODS In the present study, a total of 1,102 unrelated Han Chinese males without any detectable AZF deletions were recruited from 2014 to 2019, including 411 controls with normozoospermia and 691 patients with idiopathic spermatogenic failure. Using multiple paralog ratio tests (PRTs), the structure duplications were classified by the copy number of the AZFc-linked amplicons and genes. The Y-chromosome haplogroup (Y-hg) was categorized by genetyping of MSY-linked polymorphism loci. The association of primary AZFc duplication with spermatogenic phenotype was investigated in males with the same Y-hg. RESULTS Within Y-hg O3* group, the frequency of the gr/gr duplication in patients is significantly higher than that of controls (P = 1.29×10-3 , odds ratio (OR) 7.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.79-32.57). Moreover, Y-hg O3* males with the gr/gr duplication presented a significantly lower sperm production compared with non-AZFc duplicated ones (sperm concentration: P = 1.46×10-3 ; total sperm count: P = 1.82 ×10-3 ). The b2/b3 duplication were identified clustered in Y-hg Cα2*, and the significant difference in the distribution was not observed between patients with spermatogenic failure and controls. CONCLUSION The results suggest that, in the Han Chinese population, the gr/gr duplication is a predisposing genetic factor for spermatogenic impairment in males harboring Y-hg O3* . Meanwhile, the b2/b3 duplication may be fixed on a yet-unidentified subbranch of Y-hg Cα2* without significantly deleterious effect on spermatogenesis. Our findings provide evidence that the difference in the Y-hg composition may cause the discrepancy on the association of AZFc duplication with spermatogenic failure among the studied populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengyu Xie
- Department of Medical Genetics, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China School of medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongyi Ma
- Department of Medical Genetics, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China School of medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Precision Medicine Center, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunqiang Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China School of medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dachang Tao
- Department of Medical Genetics, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China School of medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhaokun Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China School of medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuan Yang
- Department of Medical Genetics, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China School of medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Krausz C, Navarro-Costa P, Wilke M, Tüttelmann F. EAA/EMQN best practice guidelines for molecular diagnosis of Y-chromosomal microdeletions: State of the art 2023. Andrology 2024; 12:487-504. [PMID: 37674303 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Testing for AZoospermia Factor (AZF) deletions of the Y chromosome is a key component of the diagnostic workup of azoospermic and severely oligozoospermic men. This revision of the 2013 European Academy of Andrology (EAA) and EMQN CIC (previously known as the European Molecular Genetics Quality Network) laboratory guidelines summarizes recent clinically relevant advances and provides an update on the results of the external quality assessment program jointly offered by both organizations. A basic multiplex PCR reaction followed by a deletion extension analysis remains the gold-standard methodology to detect and correctly interpret AZF deletions. Recent data have led to an update of the sY84 reverse primer sequence, as well as to a refinement of what were previously considered as interchangeable border markers for AZFa and AZFb deletion breakpoints. More specifically, sY83 and sY143 are no longer recommended for the deletion extension analysis, leaving sY1064 and sY1192, respectively, as first-choice markers. Despite the transition, currently underway in several countries, toward a diagnosis based on certified kits, it should be noted that many of these commercial products are not recommended due to an unnecessarily high number of tested markers, and none of those currently available are, to the best of our knowledge, in accordance with the new first-choice markers for the deletion extension analysis. The gr/gr partial AZFc deletion remains a population-specific risk factor for impaired sperm production and a predisposing factor for testicular germ cell tumors. Testing for this deletion type is, as before, left at the discretion of the diagnostic labs and referring clinicians. Annual participation in an external quality control program is strongly encouraged, as the 22-year experience of the EMQN/EAA scheme clearly demonstrates a steep decline in diagnostic errors and an improvement in reporting practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csilla Krausz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, University Hospital Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Paulo Navarro-Costa
- EvoReproMed Lab, Environmental Health Institute (ISAMB), Associate Laboratory TERRA, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Gulbenkian Science Institute, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Martina Wilke
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Sadek KM, AbdEllatief HY, Mahmoud SFE, Alexiou A, Papadakis M, Al‐Hajeili M, Saad HM, Batiha GE. New insights on testicular cancer prevalence with novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic approaches. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2024; 7:e2052. [PMID: 38507271 PMCID: PMC10953835 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.2052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testicular cancer (TC), comprising merely 1% of male neoplasms, holds the distinction of being the most commonly encountered neoplasm among young males. RECENT FINDINGS Most cases of testicular neoplasms can be classified into two main groups, namely germ cell tumors representing approximately 95% of the cases, and sex cord-stromal tumors accounting for about 5% of the cases. Moreover, its prevalence is on the rise across the globe. TC is a neoplastic condition characterized by a favorable prognosis. The advent of cisplatin-based chemotherapeutic agents in the latter part of the 1970s has led to a significant enhancement in the 5-year survival rate, which presently surpasses 95%. Given that TC is commonly detected before reaching the age of 40, it can be anticipated that these individuals will enjoy an additional 40-50 years of life following successful treatment. The potential causes of TC are multifactorial and related to different pathologies. Accurate identification is imperative to guarantee the utmost efficacious and suitable therapy. To a certain degree, this can be accomplished through the utilization of blood examinations for neoplastic indicators; nonetheless, an unequivocal diagnosis necessitates an evaluation of the histological composition of a specimen via a pathologist. CONCLUSION TC is multifactorial and has various pathologies, therefore this review aimed to revise the prenatal and postnatal causes as well as novel diagnostic biomarkers and the therapeutic strategies of TC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadry M. Sadek
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDamanhour UniversityAbadiyyat DamanhurEgypt
| | - Hazem Y. AbdEllatief
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDamanhour UniversityAbadiyyat DamanhurEgypt
| | - Sahar F. E. Mahmoud
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDamanhour UniversityAbadiyyat DamanhurEgypt
| | - Athanasios Alexiou
- University Centre for Research and DevelopmentChandigarh UniversityMohaliPunjabIndia
- Department of Research and Development, FunogenAthensGreece
- Department of Research and DevelopmentAFNP MedWienAustria
- Department of Science and EngineeringNovel Global Community Educational FoundationHebershamNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Marios Papadakis
- Department of Surgery IIUniversity Hospital Witten‐HerdeckeWuppertalGermany
| | - Marwan Al‐Hajeili
- Department of MedicineKing Abdulaziz UniversityJeddahKingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Hebatallah M. Saad
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineMatrouh UniversityMarsa MatruhEgypt
| | - Gaber El‐Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDamanhour UniversityDamanhourEgypt
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Zhang S, Luo Q, Meng R, Yan J, Wu Y, Huang H. Long-term health risk of offspring born from assisted reproductive technologies. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:527-550. [PMID: 38146031 PMCID: PMC10957847 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02988-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the world's first in vitro fertilization baby was born in 1978, there have been more than 8 million children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) worldwide, and a significant proportion of them have reached puberty or young adulthood. Many studies have found that ART increases the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, small size for gestational age, perinatal mortality, and congenital anomalies. However, data regarding the long-term outcomes of ART offspring are limited. According to the developmental origins of health and disease theory, adverse environments during early life stages may induce adaptive changes and subsequently result in an increased risk of diseases in later life. Increasing evidence also suggests that ART offspring are predisposed to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases, such as malignancies, asthma, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. In this review, we summarize the risks for long-term health in ART offspring, discuss the underlying mechanisms, including underlying parental infertility, epigenetic alterations, non-physiological hormone levels, and placental dysfunction, and propose potential strategies to optimize the management of ART and health care of parents and children to eliminate the associated risks. Further ongoing follow-up and research are warranted to determine the effects of ART on the long-term health of ART offspring in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Qinyu Luo
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Renyu Meng
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Jing Yan
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yanting Wu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Research Unit of Embryo Original Diseases (No. 2019RU056), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hefeng Huang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Research Unit of Embryo Original Diseases (No. 2019RU056), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China.
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Zeidan RS, McElroy T, Rathor L, Martenson MS, Lin Y, Mankowski RT. Sex differences in frailty among older adults. Exp Gerontol 2023; 184:112333. [PMID: 37993077 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
By definition, aging is a natural, gradual and continuous process. On the other hand, frailty reflects the increase in vulnerability to stressors and shortens the time without disease (health span) while longevity refers to the length of life (lifespan). The average life expectancy has significantly increased during the last few decades. A longer lifespan has been accompanied by an increase in frailty and decreased independence in older adults, with major differences existing between men and women. For example, women tend to live longer than men but also experience higher rates of frailty and disability. Sex differences prevent optimization of lifestyle interventions and therapies to effectively prevent frailty. Sex differences in frailty and aging are rooted in a complex interplay between uncontrollable (genetic, epigenetic, physiological), and controllable factors (psychosocial and lifestyle factors). Thus, understanding the underlying causes of sex differences in frailty and aging is essential for developing personalized interventions to promote healthy aging and improve quality of life in older men and women. In this review, we have discussed the key contributors and knowledge gaps related to sex differences in aging and frailty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rola S Zeidan
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Taylor McElroy
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Laxmi Rathor
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Matthew S Martenson
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Yi Lin
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Robert T Mankowski
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
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Asanad K, Greenfeld E, Scherer SW, Yuen R, Marshall CR, Lo K, Mullen B, Lau S, Jarvi KA, Samplaski MK. Uncovering the Association Between Complete AZFc Microduplications and Spermatogenic Ability: The First Reported Series. Cureus 2023; 15:e51140. [PMID: 38283528 PMCID: PMC10811380 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose This article aims to report the first series of men with complete AZFc microduplications and their clinical and reproductive characteristics. Methods We sampled 3000 men who presented for reproductive urology evaluation from 2012-2020, of which 104 men underwent high-resolution Y-chromosome microarray testing, and five men were identified to have complete AZFc microduplications. Medical, surgical, and reproductive histories were obtained. Semen and hormonal parameters as well as response to fertility therapies were recorded. Results Five men were identified as having complete AZFc microduplications. The mean age was 33.75 years, representing 0.2% (5/3000) of men presenting for fertility investigation, 4.8% (5/104) of men undergoing microarray testing, and 21% (5/24) of men with AZFc abnormalities. Two of the men had prior undescended testicles and one had several autoimmune processes. The mean follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was 5.5 IU/L, luteinizing hormone (LH) 3.6 IU/L, and testosterone 14.56 nmol/L. One man was azoospermic, one man alternated between severe oligospermia and rare non-motile sperm, one had variable parameters, with one semen analysis demonstrating azoospermia and a second demonstrating a total motile sperm count (TMSC) of 4 ×106, one man was persistently oligospermic with TMSCs ranging 3.96-12.6 ×106, and one man initially had severe oligospermia, with a mean TMSC of 1.5 ×106, which increased to 21.7 ×106 after intervention (varicocele embolization, clomiphene citrate). This last man then fathered a spontaneous pregnancy. Conclusion AZFc complete microduplications are a rare cause of spermatogenic failure but not an uncommon form of AZFc abnormality. Clinically, they represent a heterogeneous group, having a variable reproductive potential. Cases should be managed on an individual basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kian Asanad
- Institute of Urology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Agneles, USA
| | - Elena Greenfeld
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Health Complex, Toronto, CAN
| | - Stephen W Scherer
- McLaughlin Center and Department of Molecular Genetics, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, CAN
| | - Ryan Yuen
- McLaughlin Center and Department of Molecular Genetics, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, CAN
| | - Christian R Marshall
- McLaughlin Center and Department of Molecular Genetics, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, CAN
| | - Kirk Lo
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, CAN
| | - Brendan Mullen
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, CAN
| | - Susan Lau
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, CAN
| | - Keith A Jarvi
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, CAN
| | - Mary K Samplaski
- Institute of Urology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA
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Eid MM, Eid OM, Abdelrahman AH, Abdelrahman IFS, Aboelkomsan EAF, AbdelKader RMA, Hassan M, Farid M, Ibrahim AA, Abd El-Fattah SN, Mahrous R. Detection of AZFc gene deletion in a cohort of Egyptian patients with idiopathic male infertility. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2023; 21:111. [PMID: 37947911 PMCID: PMC10638347 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-023-00584-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The deletions of azoospermic factor regions (AZF) are considered risk factor of spermatogenic failure. AZF duplications or complex copy number variants (CNVs) were rarely studied because STS-PCR could not always detect these changes. The application of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) as a valuable test for detection of the deletion and or duplication was introduced to investigate the AZF sub-region CNVs. The MLPA technique is still not applied on a large scale, and the publications in this area of research are limited. The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of MLPA assay to detect AZF-linked CNVs in idiopathic spermatogenic failure patients and to evaluate its importance as a prognostic marker in the reproduction outcome. RESULTS Forty infertile men (37 with azoospermia and 3 with severe oligozoospermia) and 20 normal fertile men were subjected to thorough clinical, pathological, and laboratory assessment, chromosomal study, MLPA, STS-PCR assays, histopathology study, and testicular sperm retrieval (TESE). Out of the 40 patients, 7 patients have shown CNV in the AZFc region, 6 patients have partial deletion, and one patient has partial duplication. Only one of the normal control has AZFc duplication. STS-PCR was able to detect the deletion in only 4 out of the 7 positive patients and none of the control. CONCLUSION We concluded that MLPA should be applied on a larger scale for the detection of Y chromosome microdeletion as a rapid, efficient, and cheap test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha M Eid
- Human Cytogenetic Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Center, Bohouth Street, 12311 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ola M Eid
- Human Cytogenetic Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Center, Bohouth Street, 12311 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Amany H Abdelrahman
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | | | - Rania M A AbdelKader
- Human Cytogenetic Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Center, Bohouth Street, 12311 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mirhane Hassan
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marwa Farid
- Human Cytogenetic Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Center, Bohouth Street, 12311 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alshaymaa A Ibrahim
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Safa N Abd El-Fattah
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rana Mahrous
- Human Cytogenetic Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Center, Bohouth Street, 12311 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
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Belladelli F, Muncey W, Eisenberg ML. Reproduction as a window for health in men. Fertil Steril 2023; 120:429-437. [PMID: 36642302 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Male factor infertility is widely considered a harbinger for a man's general health. Failure of reproduction often accompanies other underlying processes, with growing evidence suggesting that a diagnosis of infertility increases the likelihood of developing future cardiac, metabolic, and oncologic diseases. The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the research on male fertility as a marker for current and future health. A multidisciplinary approach is essential, and there is growing consensus that the male fertility evaluation offers an opportunity to better men's wellness beyond their immediate reproductive ambitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Belladelli
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Wade Muncey
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Michael L Eisenberg
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
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The Trinh S, Nguyen NN, Thi Thu Le H, Thi My Pham H, Tien Trieu S, Tran NTM, Sy Ho H, Van Tran D, Van Trinh T, Trong Hoang Nguyen H, Pham Minh N, Duc Dang T, Huu Dinh V, Thi Doan H. Screening Y Chromosome Microdeletion in 1121 Men with Low Sperm Concentration and the Outcomes of Microdissection Testicular Sperm Extraction (mTESE) for Sperm Retrieval from Azoospermic Patients. Appl Clin Genet 2023; 16:155-164. [PMID: 37663123 PMCID: PMC10473397 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s420030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Y chromosome has a specific region, namely the Azoospermia Factor (AZF) because azoospermia is typically reported in the microdeletion of the AZF region. This study aims to assess the characteristics of AZF microdeletion after screening a massive number of low sperm concentration men; and the Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) outcomes for retrieving sperm from azoospermic patients. Materials and Methods This retrospective multiple-center study enrolled a total of 1121 men with azoospermia, cryptozoospermia, and severe oligozoospermia from December 2016 to June 2022. An extension analysis used a total of 17 STSs to detect the position-occurring microdeletion in the AZF region (AZFa, b, c, and/or d loci). Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) was performed to retrieve sperm in azoospermic men diagnosed AZFc microdeletion. Results One hundred and fifty-three men carried AZF microdeletion were detected in the 1121 participants (13.64%). The incidences of AZF microdeletion were confined to AZF a, c, and d regions, both individual and concurrence, with the most common in the AZFc region accounting for 49.67%; There was no significant difference in clinical and paraclinical characteristics between the deleted regions, except FSH level (highest in AZFa microdeletion, p = 0.043). The AZFc region was the most common type of AZF microdeletion (49.67%), including complete microdeletion (4 patients) and gr/gr partial microdeletion (39 patients) with 50.00% and 63.63% in the success rate of mTESE, separately. Conclusion The absence of AZFa and/or AZFb regions often express the most severe phenotype - azoospermia and the increasing FSH level. The AZFc region played the most common microdeletion. Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) was the possible therapy for sperm retrieval from the testis of azoospermia men having AZFc microdeletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Son The Trinh
- Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nhat Ngoc Nguyen
- Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hien Thi Thu Le
- Department of Andrology, Andrology and Fertility Hospital of Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hanh Thi My Pham
- Department of Andrology, Andrology and Fertility Hospital of Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Sang Tien Trieu
- Department of Biology and Genetics, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ngoc Thao My Tran
- Department of Life Sciences, Biosciences Division, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Hung Sy Ho
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Danh Van Tran
- Respiratory Center, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tam Van Trinh
- Department of Andrology, Andrology and Fertility Hospital of Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Ngoc Pham Minh
- Department of Andrology, Andrology and Fertility Hospital of Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Trinh Duc Dang
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Viet Huu Dinh
- Department of Andrology, Andrology and Fertility Hospital of Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hang Thi Doan
- Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
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11
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Hajiesmaeil M, Ravasini F, Risi F, Magnarini G, Olivieri A, D'Atanasio E, Galehdari H, Trombetta B, Cruciani F. High incidence of AZF duplications in clan-structured Iranian populations detected through Y chromosome sequencing read depth analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11857. [PMID: 37481605 PMCID: PMC10363161 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39069-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The ampliconic region of the human Y chromosome consists of large duplicated sequences that can undergo non-allelic homologous recombination (NAHR), resulting in structural rearrangements that may cause infertility, especially when they occur in the azoospermia factor b/c (AZFb/c) region. Although AZF duplications have long been neglected due to the technical limitations of STS-based studies that focused mainly on deletions, recent next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies provided evidence for their importance in fertility. In this study, a NGS read depth approach was used to detect AZFb/c rearrangements in 87 Iranians from different ethnic groups. The duplication frequency in Iran proved to be twice as high as in the "1000 Genomes" dataset. Interestingly, most duplications were found in patrilineal ethnic groups, possibly as a consequence of their lower male effective population size which can counteract negative selection. Moreover, we found a large 8.0 Mb duplication, resulting in a fourfold increase in the copy number of AZFc genes, which to our knowledge is the largest duplication ever reported in this region. Overall, our results suggest that it is important to consider not only AZF deletions but also duplications to investigate the causes of male infertility, especially in patrilineal clan-based populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mogge Hajiesmaeil
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Ravasini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Risi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Magnarini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Olivieri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', Pavia University, Pavia, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Eugenia D'Atanasio
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), CNR, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Hamid Galehdari
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Beniamino Trombetta
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Fulvio Cruciani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), CNR, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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12
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Nakagawa Y, Tada A, Kojo K, Tsuchiya H, Kurobe M, Uchida M, Yamasaki K, Iwamoto T, Sato Y. Analysis of the correlation between gene copy deletion in the AZFc region and male infertility in Japanese men. Reprod Biol 2023; 23:100728. [PMID: 36640629 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2022.100728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Deletion of the azoospermia factor c (AZFc), located on the long arm of the Y chromosome, is a cause of male infertility. The structure of the Y chromosome is diversified by the copy number of various genes, such as deleted in azoospermia (DAZ), basic protein Y2, chromodomain Y1, testis-specific transcript Y-linked 4, and Golgi autoantigen golgin subfamily a2 like Y, located in the AZF region. In this study, we investigated the deletion of each gene copy and analyzed its relationship with Japanese male infertility. Deletions of single nucleotide variants of each gene copy in 721 proven fertile men as controls, 139 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), and 56 patients with oligozoospermia (OS) were analyzed via polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Their association with infertility was analyzed using logistic regression analysis adjusted for the Y-chromosome haplogroup, D1a2a. Deletions of DAZ/II in the r1 region and DAZ/V in the r1 and r2 regions showed significant associations with NOA (odds ratio [OR] = 4.15, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.18-14.6, P = 0.026; OR = 4.19, 95 % CI = 1.19-14.7, P = 0.025, respectively). They did not show any association with OS. Partial deletion of the AZFc region affects spermatogenesis in Japanese male.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Nakagawa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tada
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kojo
- Center for Infertility and IVF, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Tochigi 329-2763, Japan; Department of Urology, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki 305-8576, Japan
| | - Haruki Tsuchiya
- Center for Infertility and IVF, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Tochigi 329-2763, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kurobe
- Center for Infertility and IVF, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Tochigi 329-2763, Japan
| | - Masahiro Uchida
- Center for Infertility and IVF, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Tochigi 329-2763, Japan; Urology department, Tsukuba Gakuen Hospital, Ibaraki 305-0854, Japan
| | - Kazumitsu Yamasaki
- Center for Infertility and IVF, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Tochigi 329-2763, Japan; Urology department, Tsukuba Gakuen Hospital, Ibaraki 305-0854, Japan
| | - Teruaki Iwamoto
- Center for Infertility and IVF, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Tochigi 329-2763, Japan; Department of Male Infertility, Reproduction Center, Sanno Hospital, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan
| | - Youichi Sato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan.
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13
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Bonito M, Ravasini F, Novelletto A, D'Atanasio E, Cruciani F, Trombetta B. Disclosing complex mutational dynamics at a Y chromosome palindrome evolving through intra- and inter-chromosomal gene conversion. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:65-78. [PMID: 35921243 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The human MSY ampliconic region is mainly composed of large duplicated sequences that are organized in eight palindromes (termed P1-P8), and may undergo arm-to-arm gene conversion. Although the importance of these elements is widely recognized, their evolutionary dynamics are still nuanced. Here, we focused on the P8 palindrome, which shows a complex evolutionary history, being involved in intra- and inter-chromosomal gene conversion. To disclose its evolutionary complexity, we performed a high-depth (50×) targeted next-generation sequencing of this element in 157 subjects belonging to the most divergent lineages of the Y chromosome tree. We found a total of 72 polymorphic paralogous sequence variants that have been exploited to identify 41 Y-Y gene conversion events that occurred during recent human history. Through our analysis, we were able to categorize P8 arms into three portions, whose molecular diversity was modelled by different evolutionary forces. Notably, the outer region of the palindrome is not involved in any gene conversion event and evolves exclusively through the action of mutational pressure. The inner region is affected by Y-Y gene conversion occurring at a rate of 1.52 × 10-5 conversions/base/year, with no bias towards the retention of the ancestral state of the sequence. In this portion, GC-biased gene conversion is counterbalanced by a mutational bias towards AT bases. Finally, the middle region of the arms, in addition to intra-chromosomal gene conversion, is involved in X-to-Y gene conversion (at a rate of 6.013 × 10-8 conversions/base/year) thus being a major force in the evolution of the VCY/VCX gene family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bonito
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Francesco Ravasini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Andrea Novelletto
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Eugenia D'Atanasio
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), CNR, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Fulvio Cruciani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome 00185, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), CNR, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Beniamino Trombetta
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome 00185, Italy
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14
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Xu Y, Pang Q. Repetitive DNA Sequences in the Human Y Chromosome and Male Infertility. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:831338. [PMID: 35912115 PMCID: PMC9326358 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.831338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The male-specific Y chromosome, which is well known for its diverse and complex repetitive sequences, has different sizes, genome structures, contents and evolutionary trajectories from other chromosomes and is of great significance for testis development and function. The large number of repetitive sequences and palindrome structure of the Y chromosome play an important role in maintaining the stability of male sex determining genes, although they can also cause non-allelic homologous recombination within the chromosome. Deletion of certain Y chromosome sequences will lead to spermatogenesis disorders and male infertility. And Y chromosome genes are also involved in the occurrence of reproductive system cancers and can increase the susceptibility of other tumors. In addition, the Y chromosome has very special value in the personal identification and parentage testing of male-related cases in forensic medicine because of its unique paternal genetic characteristics. In view of the extremely high frequency and complexity of gene rearrangements and the limitations of sequencing technology, the analysis of Y chromosome sequences and the study of Y-gene function still have many unsolved problems. This article will introduce the structure and repetitive sequence of the Y chromosome, summarize the correlation between Y chromosome various sequence deletions and male infertility for understanding the repetitive sequence of Y chromosome more systematically, in order to provide research motivation for further explore of the molecules mechanism of Y-deletion and male infertility and theoretical foundations for the transformation of basic research into applications in clinical medicine and forensic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Xu
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Jining NO 1 People’s Hospital, Jining, China
| | - Qianqian Pang
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- *Correspondence: Qianqian Pang,
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15
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Chernykh VB, Ryzhkova OP, Kuznetsova IA, Kazaryan MS, Sorokina TM, Kurilo LF, Schagina OA, Polyakov AV. Deletions in AZFc Region of Y Chromosome in Russian Fertile Men. RUSS J GENET+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795422070043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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16
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CEP128 is involved in spermatogenesis in humans and mice. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1395. [PMID: 35296684 PMCID: PMC8927350 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29109-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Centrosomal proteins are necessary components of the centrosome, a conserved eukaryotic organelle essential to the reproductive process. However, few centrosomal proteins have been genetically linked to fertility. Herein we identify a homozygous missense variant of CEP128 (c.665 G > A [p.R222Q]) in two infertile males. Remarkably, male homozygous knock-in mice harboring the orthologous CEP128R222Q variant show anomalies in sperm morphology, count, and motility. Moreover, Cep128 knock-out mice manifest male infertility associated with disrupted sperm quality. We observe defective sperm flagella in both homozygous Cep128 KO and KI mice; the cilia development in other organs is normal—suggesting that CEP128 variants predominantly affected the ciliogenesis in the testes. Mechanistically, CEP128 is involved in male reproduction via regulating the expression of genes and/or the phosphorylation of TGF-β/BMP-signalling members during spermatogenesis. Altogether, our findings unveil a crucial role for CEP128 in male fertility and provide important insights into the functions of centrosomal proteins in reproductive biology. CEP128 is a centrosomal protein important for the organization of centriolar microtubules. Here, the authors show that a CEP128 variant observed in human male siblings causes reduced sperm counts and morphologically abnormal sperm when modeled in mice, suggesting a role for CEP128 in male fertility.
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17
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Lan KC, Wang HJ, Wang TJ, Lin HJ, Chang YC, Kang HY. Y-chromosome genes associated with sertoli cell-only syndrome identified by array comparative genome hybridization. Biomed J 2022; 46:100524. [PMID: 35358715 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The precise contribution of each chromosome gene or gene family in achieving male fertility is still the subject of debate. Most studies have examined male populations with heterogeneous causes of infertility, and have therefore reached controversial or uncertain conclusions. This study uses Y-chromosome array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) to examine a population of males with a uniform sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) infertility phenotype. METHODS Initial analysis of gene copy number variations in 8 SCOS patients, with determination of the log-ratio of probe signal intensity against a DNA reference, was performed using the Y-chromosome NimbleGen aCGH. To confirm the role of candidate genes, real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to compare 19 patients who had SCOS non-obstructive azoospermia with 15 patients who had obstructive azoospermia but normal spermatogenesis. RESULTS Our initial aCGH experiments identified CDY1a and CDY1b double deletions in all 8 patients who had total germ cell depletion. However, 5 patients had DAZ1/2 and DAZ3/4 deletions, 1 patient had a DAZ2 and DAZ3/4 deletion, and 2 patients had no DAZ1/2 or DAZ3/4 deletions. Examination of testicular mRNA expression in another 19 patients with SCOS indicated all patients had no detectable levels of CDY1. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that CDY1 deletion in SCOS patients, and analysis of the expression of DAZ and CDY1 genes using aCGH and quantitative RT-PCR, may be useful to predict the presence of mature spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Chung Lan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Center for Menopause and Reproductive Medicine Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jen-Ai Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Hung-Jen Wang
- Department of Urology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Jou Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Jung Lin
- Center for Menopause and Reproductive Medicine Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chiao Chang
- Center for Menopause and Reproductive Medicine Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Yo Kang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Center for Menopause and Reproductive Medicine Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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18
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Chang CH, Gregory LE, Gordon KE, Meiklejohn CD, Larracuente AM. Unique structure and positive selection promote the rapid divergence of Drosophila Y chromosomes. eLife 2022; 11:e75795. [PMID: 34989337 PMCID: PMC8794474 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Y chromosomes across diverse species convergently evolve a gene-poor, heterochromatic organization enriched for duplicated genes, LTR retrotransposons, and satellite DNA. Sexual antagonism and a loss of recombination play major roles in the degeneration of young Y chromosomes. However, the processes shaping the evolution of mature, already degenerated Y chromosomes are less well-understood. Because Y chromosomes evolve rapidly, comparisons between closely related species are particularly useful. We generated de novo long-read assemblies complemented with cytological validation to reveal Y chromosome organization in three closely related species of the Drosophila simulans complex, which diverged only 250,000 years ago and share >98% sequence identity. We find these Y chromosomes are divergent in their organization and repetitive DNA composition and discover new Y-linked gene families whose evolution is driven by both positive selection and gene conversion. These Y chromosomes are also enriched for large deletions, suggesting that the repair of double-strand breaks on Y chromosomes may be biased toward microhomology-mediated end joining over canonical non-homologous end-joining. We propose that this repair mechanism contributes to the convergent evolution of Y chromosome organization across organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Ho Chang
- Department of Biology, University of RochesterRochesterUnited States
| | - Lauren E Gregory
- Department of Biology, University of RochesterRochesterUnited States
| | - Kathleen E Gordon
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-LincolnLincolnUnited States
| | - Colin D Meiklejohn
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-LincolnLincolnUnited States
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19
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Sudhakar DVS, Shah R, Gajbhiye RK. Genetics of Male Infertility - Present and Future: A Narrative Review. J Hum Reprod Sci 2021; 14:217-227. [PMID: 34759610 PMCID: PMC8527069 DOI: 10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_115_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects 8%–12% of couples worldwide with a male factor contributing to nearly 50% of couples either as a primary or contributing cause. Several genetic factors that include single-gene and multiple-gene defects associated with male infertility were reported in the past two decades. However, the etiology remains ambiguous in a majority of infertile men (~40%). The objective of this narrative review is to provide an update on the genetic factors associated with idiopathic male infertility and male reproductive system abnormalities identified in the last two decades. We performed a thorough literature search in online databases from January 2000 to July 2021. We observed a total of 13 genes associated with nonobstructive azoospermia due to maturation/meiotic arrest. Several studies that reported novel genes associated with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella are also discussed in this review. ADGRG2, PANK2, SCNN1B, and CA12 genes are observed in non-CFTR-related vas aplasia. The genomic analysis should be quickly implemented in clinical practice as the detection of gene abnormalities in different male infertility phenotypes will facilitate genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Digumarthi V S Sudhakar
- Department of Gamete Immunobiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rupin Shah
- Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rahul K Gajbhiye
- Clinical Research Lab and Andrology Clinic, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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20
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Dutta S, Paladhi P, Pal S, Bose G, Ghosh P, Chattopadhyay R, Chakravarty B, Ghosh S. Prevalence of Y chromosome microdeletion in azoospermia factor subregions among infertile men from West Bengal, India. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2021; 9:e1769. [PMID: 34427986 PMCID: PMC8580071 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Etiology of male infertility is intriguing and Y chromosome microdeletion within azoospermia factor (AZF) sub‐regions is considered major cause. We conducted a screening for Y chromosome microdeletion in an infertile male cohort from West Bengal, India to characterize Y chromosome microdeletion among infertile men. Methods We recruited case subjects that were categorized on the basis of sperm count as azoospermia (N = 63), severe oligozoospermia (N = 38), and oligozoospermia (N = 17) and compared them with age, demography, and ethnicity matched healthy proven fertile control males (N = 84). Sequence Tagged Site makers and polymerase chain reaction based profiling of Y chromosome was done for AZF region and SRY for cases and controls. Results We scored 16.1% of cases (19 out of 118) that bear one or more microdeletions in the studied loci and none among the controls. The aberrations were more frequent among azoospermic males (17 of 19) than in severe oligozoospermic subjects (2 of 19). Conclusion Our study provides the results of screening of the largest Bengali infertile men sample genotyped with the maximum number of STS markers spanning the entire length of Y chromosome long arm. Y chromosome microdeletion is a significant genetic etiology of infertility among Bengali men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurav Dutta
- Cytogenetics and Genomics Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Pranab Paladhi
- Cytogenetics and Genomics Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Samudra Pal
- Cytogenetics and Genomics Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Gunja Bose
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine (IRM), Kolkata, India
| | - Papiya Ghosh
- Department of Zoology, Bijoy Krishna Girls' College (Affiliated to University of Calcutta), Howrah, India
| | | | | | - Sujay Ghosh
- Cytogenetics and Genomics Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
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21
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Nicholls PK, Page DC. Germ cell determination and the developmental origin of germ cell tumors. Development 2021; 148:239824. [PMID: 33913479 DOI: 10.1242/dev.198150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In each generation, the germline is tasked with producing somatic lineages that form the body, and segregating a population of cells for gametogenesis. During animal development, when do cells of the germline irreversibly commit to producing gametes? Integrating findings from diverse species, we conclude that the final commitment of the germline to gametogenesis - the process of germ cell determination - occurs after primordial germ cells (PGCs) colonize the gonads. Combining this understanding with medical findings, we present a model whereby germ cell tumors arise from cells that failed to undertake germ cell determination, regardless of their having colonized the gonads. We propose that the diversity of cell types present in these tumors reflects the broad developmental potential of migratory PGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter K Nicholls
- Whitehead Institute, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
| | - David C Page
- Whitehead Institute, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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22
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Ravasini F, D'Atanasio E, Bonito M, Bonucci B, Della Rocca C, Berti A, Trombetta B, Cruciani F. Sequence Read Depth Analysis of a Monophyletic Cluster of Y Chromosomes Characterized by Structural Rearrangements in the AZFc Region Resulting in DYS448 Deletion and DYF387S1 Duplication. Front Genet 2021; 12:669405. [PMID: 33936180 PMCID: PMC8085532 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.669405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The azoospermia factor c region (AZFc), located in the long arm of the human Y chromosome, is frequently involved in chromosome rearrangements, mainly due to non-allelic homologous recombination events that occur between the nearly identical sequences (amplicon) that comprises it. These rearrangements may have major phenotypic effects like spermatogenic failure or other pathologies linked to male infertility. Moreover, they may also be relevant in forensic genetics, since some of the Y chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) commonly used in forensic analysis are located in amplicons or in inter-amplicon sequences of the AZFc. In a previous study, we identified four phylogenetically related samples with a null allele at DYS448 and a tetrallelic pattern at DYF387S1, two Y-STRs located in the AZFc. Through NGS read depth analysis, we found that the unusual Y-STR pattern may be due to a 1.6 Mb deletion arising concurrently or after a 3.5 Mb duplication event. The observed large genomic rearrangement results in copy number reduction for the RBMY gene family as well as duplication of other AZFc genes. Based on the diversity of 16 additional Y-STRs, we estimated that the duplication/deletion event occurred at least twenty generations ago, suggesting that it has not been affected by negative selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Ravasini
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenia D'Atanasio
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Bonito
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Biancamaria Bonucci
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Della Rocca
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Berti
- Sezione di Biologia, Reparto CC Investigazioni Scientifiche di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Beniamino Trombetta
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Fulvio Cruciani
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy
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Katagiri Y, Tamaki Y. Genetic counseling prior to assisted reproductive technology. Reprod Med Biol 2021; 20:133-143. [PMID: 33850446 PMCID: PMC8022097 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reproductive medicine deals with fertility and is closely related to heredity. In reproductive medicine, it is necessary to provide genetic information for the patients prior to assisted reproductive technology (ART). Japan Society for Reproductive Medicine (JSRM) requires doctors involved in reproductive medicine to have standard knowledge of reproductive genetics and knowledge of reproductive medicine, which is covered in their publication, "required knowledge of reproductive medicine." METHODS With the aim of providing straightforward explanations to patients in the clinical situation at pre-ART counseling, we provide the following five topics, such as (a) risk of birth defects in children born with ART, (b) chromosomal abnormalities, (c) Y chromosome microdeletions (YCMs), (d) possible chromosomal abnormal pregnancy in oligospermatozoa requiring ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), and (e) epigenetic alterations. MAIN FINDINGS The frequency of chromosome abnormalities in infertile patients is 0.595%-0.64%. YCMs are observed in 2%-10% of severe oligospermic men. High incidence of spermatozoa with chromosomal abnormalities has been reported in advanced oligospermia and asthenozoospermia that require ICSI. Some epigenetic alterations were reported in the children born with ART. CONCLUSION Certain genetic knowledge is important for professionals involved in reproductive medicine, even if they are not genetic experts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Katagiri
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyFaculty of MedicineToho UniversityTokyoJapan
- Division of Clinical GeneticsToho University Omori Medical CenterTokyoJapan
- Reproduction CenterToho University Omori Medical CenterTokyoJapan
| | - Yuko Tamaki
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyFaculty of MedicineToho UniversityTokyoJapan
- Division of Clinical GeneticsToho University Omori Medical CenterTokyoJapan
- Reproduction CenterToho University Omori Medical CenterTokyoJapan
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24
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Hallast P, Kibena L, Punab M, Arciero E, Rootsi S, Grigorova M, Flores R, Jobling MA, Poolamets O, Pomm K, Korrovits P, Rull K, Xue Y, Tyler-Smith C, Laan M. A common 1.6 mb Y-chromosomal inversion predisposes to subsequent deletions and severe spermatogenic failure in humans. eLife 2021; 10:65420. [PMID: 33781384 PMCID: PMC8009663 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a prevalent condition, affecting 5–10% of men. So far, few genetic factors have been described as contributors to spermatogenic failure. Here, we report the first re-sequencing study of the Y-chromosomal Azoospermia Factor c (AZFc) region, combined with gene dosage analysis of the multicopy DAZ, BPY2, and CDYgenes and Y-haplogroup determination. In analysing 2324 Estonian men, we uncovered a novel structural variant as a high-penetrance risk factor for male infertility. The Y lineage R1a1-M458, reported at >20% frequency in several European populations, carries a fixed ~1.6 Mb r2/r3 inversion, destabilizing the AZFc region and predisposing to large recurrent microdeletions. Such complex rearrangements were significantly enriched among severe oligozoospermia cases. The carrier vs non-carrier risk for spermatogenic failure was increased 8.6-fold (p=6.0×10−4). This finding contributes to improved molecular diagnostics and clinical management of infertility. Carrier identification at young age will facilitate timely counselling and reproductive decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pille Hallast
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Wellcome Genome Campus, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Kibena
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Margus Punab
- Andrology Unit, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Elena Arciero
- Wellcome Genome Campus, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Siiri Rootsi
- Institute of Genomics, Estonian Biocentre, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Marina Grigorova
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Rodrigo Flores
- Institute of Genomics, Estonian Biocentre, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mark A Jobling
- Department of Genetics & Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Olev Poolamets
- Andrology Unit, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kristjan Pomm
- Andrology Unit, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Paul Korrovits
- Andrology Unit, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kristiina Rull
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Women's Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Yali Xue
- Wellcome Genome Campus, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Tyler-Smith
- Wellcome Genome Campus, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Maris Laan
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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25
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Witherspoon L, Dergham A, Flannigan R. Y-microdeletions: a review of the genetic basis for this common cause of male infertility. Transl Androl Urol 2021; 10:1383-1390. [PMID: 33850774 PMCID: PMC8039600 DOI: 10.21037/tau-19-599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The human Y-chromosome contains genetic material responsible for normal testis development and spermatogenesis. The long arm (Yq) of the Y-chromosome has been found to be susceptible to self-recombination during spermatogenesis predisposing this area to deletions. The incidence of these deletions is estimated to be 1/4,000 in the general population but has been found to be much higher in infertile men. Currently, Y-microdeletions are the second most commonly identified genetic cause of male infertility after Klinefelter syndrome. This has led to testing for these deletions becoming standard practice in men with azoospermia and severe oligospermia. There are three commonly identified Y-microdeletions in infertile males, termed azoospermia factor (AZF) microdeletions AZFa, AZFb and AZFc. With increased understanding and investigation of this genetic basis for infertility a more comprehensive understanding of these deletions has evolved, with several other deletion subtypes being identified. Understanding the genetic basis and pathology behind these Y-microdeletions is essential for any clinician involved in reproductive medicine. In this review we discuss the genetic basis of Y-microdeletions, the various subtypes of deletions, and current technologies available for testing. Our understanding of this issue is evolving in many areas, and in this review we highlight future testing opportunities that may allow us to stratify men with Y-microdeletion associated infertility more accurately
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Witherspoon
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ali Dergham
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Ryan Flannigan
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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26
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Golin AP, Yuen W, Flannigan R. The effects of Y chromosome microdeletions on in vitro fertilization outcomes, health abnormalities in offspring and recurrent pregnancy loss. Transl Androl Urol 2021; 10:1457-1466. [PMID: 33850780 PMCID: PMC8039589 DOI: 10.21037/tau-19-672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Male factor infertility accounts for approximately 50% of all infertility evaluations. A common cause of severe oligozoospermia and azoospermia is Y chromosome microdeletions (YCMs). Men with these genetic microdeletions must typically undergo assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures to obtain paternity. In this review, we performed a thorough and extensive search of the literature to summarize the effects of YCMs on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes, health abnormalities in offspring and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The PubMed database was searched using specific search terms and papers were identified using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Sperm retrieval amongst men with complete AZFa and/or AZFb deletions is extremely rare and thus data on ARTs is largely unavailable. In AZFc-deleted men undergoing assisted reproduction, the collective fertilization rate (FR) is 59.8%, the clinical pregnancy rate is 28.6% and the live birth rate is 23.4%. When successful, the YCM is always transmitted to the male offspring and the deletion size either remains unchanged or widens. YCMs generally result in decreased fertilization, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates compared to men with intact Y chromosomes during ART interventions. There is a minimal or absent association of YCMs with abnormalities in the offspring or RPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Golin
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Wallace Yuen
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ryan Flannigan
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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27
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Rogers MJ. Y chromosome copy number variation and its effects on fertility and other health factors: a review. Transl Androl Urol 2021; 10:1373-1382. [PMID: 33850773 PMCID: PMC8039628 DOI: 10.21037/tau.2020.04.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Y chromosome is essential for testis development and spermatogenesis. It is a chromosome with the lowest gene density owing to its medium size but paucity of coding genes. The Y chromosome is unique in that the majority of its structure is highly repetitive sequences, with the majority of these limited genes occurring in 9 amplionic sequences throughout the chromosome. The repetitive nature has its benefits as it can be protective against gene loss over many generations, but it can also predispose the Y chromosome to having wide variations of the number of gene copies present in these repeated sequences. This is known as copy number variation. Copy number variation is not unique to the Y chromosome but copy number variation is a well-known cause of male infertility and having effects on spermatogenesis. This is most commonly seen as deletions of the AZF sequences on the Y chromosome. However, there are other implications for copy number variation beyond just the AZF deletions that can affect spermatogenesis and potentially have other health implications. Copy number variations of TSPY1, DAZ, CDY1, RBMY1, the DYZ1 array, along with minor deletions of gr/gr, b1/b3, and b2/b3 have all be implicated in affecting spermatogenesis. UTY copy number variations have been implicated in risk for cardiovascular disease, and other deletions within gr/gr and the AZF sequences have been implicated in cancer and neuropsychiatric diseases. This review sets out to describe the Y chromosome and unique susceptibility to copy number variation and then to examine how this growing body of research impacts spermatogenesis and other health factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc J Rogers
- Department of Urology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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28
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Rabinowitz MJ, Huffman PJ, Haney NM, Kohn TP. Y-Chromosome Microdeletions: A Review of Prevalence, Screening, and Clinical Considerations. Appl Clin Genet 2021; 14:51-59. [PMID: 33603438 PMCID: PMC7886244 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s267421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Deletions within the male-specific region of the Y-chromosome, known as Y-Chromosome Microdeletions (YCMs), are present in as many as 5% and 10% of severe oligospermic and azoospermic men, respectively. These microdeletions are distinguished by which segment of the Y chromosome is absent, identified as AZFa (the most proximal segment), AZFb (middle), and AZFc (distal). The reported prevalence of YCMs within the world’s populations of infertile men displays vast heterogeneity, ranging from less than 2% to over 24% based on region and ethnicity. AZFc is the most commonly identified YCM, and its phenotypic presentation provides for the highest chance for fertility through artificial reproductive techniques. Conversely, deletions identified in the subregions of AZFa, AZFb, or any combination of regions containing these segments, are associated with low probabilities of achieving pregnancy. A putative mechanism explaining this discrepancy lies within the expression of autosomal, DAZ-like genes which could serve to “rescue” wild type AZFc gene expression and hence spermatogenesis. Nevertheless, recent reports challenge this dogma and stress the importance of further analysis when an AZFb deletion is detected. The screening thresholds to determine which oligospermic and azoospermic men are tested for potential YCMs has been recently contested. More recent literature supports lowering the threshold from 5 million sperm/mL of ejaculate to 1 million/mL as the frequency of YCMs in men with sperm concentrations between 1 and 5 million sperm/mL is very low (~0.8%). As such, subsequent guidelines should recommend a lower screening threshold. While YCMs are extremely common globally, the understanding of their clinical significance in the field remains scattered and without consensus. Furthermore, very little is currently known about partial deletions within the AZFc region, such as b1/b3, b2/b3, and gr/gr. Hence, this review aimed to summarize and discuss modern trends in the epidemiology, screening guidelines, and clinical considerations pertaining to YCMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Rabinowitz
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Phillip J Huffman
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nora M Haney
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Taylor P Kohn
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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29
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Y chromosome structural variation in infertile men detected by targeted next-generation sequencing. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:941-948. [PMID: 33454900 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-02031-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To provide a validated method to identify copy number variation (CNV) in regions of the Y chromosome of infertile men by next-generation sequencing (NGS). METHODS Semen analysis was used to determine the quality of semen and diagnose infertility. Deletion of the azoospermia factor (AZF) region in the Y chromosome was detected by a routine sequence-tagged-site PCR (STS-PCR) method. We then used the NGS method to detect CNV in the AZF region, including deletions and duplications. RESULTS A total of 326 samples from male infertility patients, family members, and sperm donors were studied between January 2011 and May 2017. AZF microdeletions were detected in 120 patients by STS-PCR, and these results were consistent with the results from NGS. In addition, of the 160 patients and male family members who had no microdeletions detected by STS-PCR, 51 cases were found to exhibit Y chromosome structural variations by the NGS method (31.88%, 51/160). No microdeletions were found in 46 donors by STS-PCR, but the NGS method revealed 11 of these donors (23.91%, 11/46) carried structural variations, which were mainly in the AZFc region, including partial deletions and duplications. CONCLUSION The established NGS method can replace the conventional STS-PCR method to detect Y chromosome microdeletions. The NGS method can detect CNV, such as partial deletion or duplication, and provide details of the abnormal range and size of variations.
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30
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Pandey A, Jaiswal A, Tiwari M, Ali A, Sharma R. Yq AZF microdeletions in male infertility: An update on the phenotypic spectrum, epidemiology and diagnostics. ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTION 2021. [DOI: 10.4103/2305-0500.326718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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31
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Punjani N, Kang C, Schlegel PN. Clinical implications of Y chromosome microdeletions among infertile men. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 34:101471. [PMID: 33214080 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2020.101471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Male factor infertility contributes significantly to couples facing difficulty achieving a pregnancy. Genetic factors, and specifically those related to the Y chromosome, may occur in up to 15% of men with oligozoospermia or azoospermia. A subset of loci within the Y chromosome, known as the azoospermia factors (AZFa, AZFb, and AZFc), have been associated with male infertility. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that microdeletions of at least a subset of these regions may also have impacts on systemic conditions. This review provides a brief review of male infertility and the structure of the Y chromosome, and further highlights the role of Y chromosome microdeletions in male infertility and other systemic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahid Punjani
- Division of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Caroline Kang
- Division of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Peter N Schlegel
- Division of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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32
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Partial-AZFc deletions in Chilean men with primary spermatogenic impairment: gene dosage and Y-chromosome haplogroups. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:3109-3119. [PMID: 33034826 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01957-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the association of partial-AZFc deletions in Chilean men with primary spermatogenic failure and their testicular histopathological phenotypes, analyzing the contribution of DAZ dosage, CDY1 copies, and Y-chromosome haplogroups. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We studied 479 Chilean men: 334 infertile patients with histological examination (233 cases with spermatogenic defects and 101 normal spermatogenesis, obstructive controls, OC), and 145 normozoospermic controls (NC). AZFc subdeletions were detected by single-tagged sequences and single nucleotide variants analysis. DAZ-copy number was quantified by real-time qPCR. Y-chromosome haplogroups (Y-hg) were hierarchically genotyped through 16 biallelic-markers. RESULTS The prevalence of AZFc-partial deletions was increased in cases (6%) compared with NC (1.4%) (P = 0.035). There was no difference between 143 Sertoli-cell only syndrome, 35 maturation arrest, or 35 mix atrophy patients and controls. However, gr/gr deletions were more frequent in 16 subjects with hypospermatogenesis compared with NC (P = 0.003) and OC (P = 0.013). Y-hg R was the most prevalent (~ 50%), but decreased among gr/gr deletions (21%, P = 0.03). The prevalence of Y-hg M increased in cases versus controls, both in total and non-deleted men (3.9 and 3.7% versus 0.4%, P = 0.009 and P = 0.016, respectively). Among gr/gr deletions, Y-hg H increased compared with non-deleted men (14.3% versus 0.4%, P = 0.0047). CONCLUSION Partial-AZFc deletions in a Chilean admixed population are associated with secretory azo/oligozoospermia and might have a role in the development of hypospermatogenesis. Low represented haplogroups, Y-hg M and Y-hg H, show an association with the occurrence of spermatogenic failure and gr/gr deletions respectively; however, additional studies are required.
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33
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Differences in DYF387S1 copy number distribution among haplogroups caused by haplogroup-specific ancestral Y-chromosome mutations. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2020; 48:102315. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2020.102315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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34
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Kuroda S, Usui K, Sanjo H, Takeshima T, Kawahara T, Uemura H, Yumura Y. Genetic disorders and male infertility. Reprod Med Biol 2020; 19:314-322. [PMID: 33071633 PMCID: PMC7542010 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background At present, one out of six couples is infertile, and in 50% of cases, infertility is attributed to male infertility factors. Genetic abnormalities are found in 10%-20% of patients showing severe spermatogenesis disorders, including non-obstructive azoospermia. Methods Literatures covering the relationship between male infertility and genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities were studied and summarized. Main findings Results Genetic disorders, including Klinefelter syndrome, balanced reciprocal translocation, Robertsonian translocation, structural abnormalities in Y chromosome, XX male, azoospermic factor (AZF) deletions, and congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens were summarized and discussed from a practical point of view. Among them, understanding on AZF deletions significantly changed owing to advanced elucidation of their pathogenesis. Due to its technical progress, AZF deletion test can reveal their delicate variations and predict the condition of spermatogenesis. Thirty-nine candidate genes possibly responsible for azoospermia have been identified in the last 10 years owing to the advances in genome sequencing technologies. Conclusion Genetic testing for chromosomes and AZF deletions should be examined in cases of severe oligozoospermia and azoospermia. Genetic counseling should be offered before and after genetic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinnosuke Kuroda
- Department of Urology, Reproductive Centre Yokohama City University Medical Centre Kanagawa Japan.,Department of Medical Genetics Yokohama City University Medical Centre Kanagawa Japan
| | - Kimitsugu Usui
- Department of Urology, Reproductive Centre Yokohama City University Medical Centre Kanagawa Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Sanjo
- Department of Urology, Reproductive Centre Yokohama City University Medical Centre Kanagawa Japan
| | - Teppei Takeshima
- Department of Urology, Reproductive Centre Yokohama City University Medical Centre Kanagawa Japan
| | - Takashi Kawahara
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation Yokohama City University Medical Centre Kanagawa Japan
| | - Hiroji Uemura
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation Yokohama City University Medical Centre Kanagawa Japan
| | - Yasushi Yumura
- Department of Urology, Reproductive Centre Yokohama City University Medical Centre Kanagawa Japan
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35
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Gunes S, Esteves SC. Role of genetics and epigenetics in male infertility. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13586. [PMID: 32314821 DOI: 10.1111/and.13586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a complex condition with a strong genetic and epigenetic background. This review discusses the importance of genetic and epigenetic factors in the pathophysiology of male infertility. The interplay between thousands of genes, the epigenetic control of gene expression, and environmental and lifestyle factors, which influence genetic and epigenetic variants, determines the resulting male infertility phenotype. Currently, karyotyping, Y-chromosome microdeletion screening and CFTR gene mutation tests are routinely performed to investigate a possible genetic aetiology in patients with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. However, current testing is limited in its ability to identify a variety of genetic and epigenetic conditions that might be implicated in both idiopathic and unexplained infertility. Several epimutations of imprinting genes and developmental genes have been postulated to be candidate markers for male infertility. As such, development of novel diagnostic panels is essential to change the current landscape with regard to prevention, diagnosis and management. Understanding the underlying genetic mechanisms related to the pathophysiology of male infertility, and the impact of environmental exposures and lifestyle factors on gene expression might aid clinicians in developing individualised treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sezgin Gunes
- Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.,Molecular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Sandro C Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Referral Center for Male Reproduction, Campinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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36
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The Y chromosome may contribute to sex-specific ageing in Drosophila. Nat Ecol Evol 2020; 4:853-862. [PMID: 32313175 PMCID: PMC7274899 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-1179-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Heterochromatin suppresses repetitive DNA, and a loss of heterochromatin has been observed in aged cells of several species, including humans and Drosophila. Males often contain substantially more heterochromatic DNA than females, due to the presence of a large, repeat-rich Y chromosome, and male flies generally have shorter average life spans than females. Here we show that repetitive DNA becomes de-repressed more rapidly in old male flies relative to females, and repeats on the Y chromosome are disproportionally mis-expressed during aging. This is associated with a loss of heterochromatin at repetitive elements during aging in male flies, and a general loss of repressive chromatin in aged males away from pericentromeric regions and the Y. By generating flies with different sex chromosome karyotypes (XXY females; X0 and XYY males), we show that repeat de-repression and average lifespan is correlated with the number of Y chromosomes. This suggests that sex-specific chromatin differences may contribute to sex-specific aging in flies.
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37
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Westra WM, Rygiel AM, Mostafavi N, de Wit GMJ, Roes AL, Moons LMG, Peppelenbosch MP, Ouburg S, Morré SA, Jacobs M, Siersema PD, Repping S, Wang KK, Krishnadath KK. The Y-chromosome F haplogroup contributes to the development of Barrett's esophagus-associated esophageal adenocarcinoma in a white male population. Dis Esophagus 2020; 33:5780184. [PMID: 32129453 PMCID: PMC7471775 DOI: 10.1093/dote/doaa011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a metaplastic condition of the distal esophagus, resulting from longstanding gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). BE predisposes for the highly malignant esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Both BE and EAC have the highest frequencies in white males. Only a subset of patients with GERD develop BE, while <0.5% of BE will progress to EAC. Therefore, it is most likely that the development of BE and EAC is associated with underlying genetic factors. We hypothesized that in white males, Y-chromosomal haplogroups are associated with BE and EAC. To investigate this we conducted a multicenter study studying the frequencies of the Y-chromosomal haplogroups in GERD, BE, and EAC patients. We used genomic analysis by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism to determine the frequency of six Y-chromosomal haplogroups (DE, F(xJ,xK), K(xP), J, P(xR1a), and R1a) between GERD, BE, and EAC in a cohort of 1,365 white males, including 612 GERD, 753 BE patients, while 178 of the BE patients also had BE-associated EAC. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to compare the outcomes. In this study, we found the R1a (6% vs. 9%, P = 0.04) and K (3% vs. 6%, P = 0.035) to be significantly underrepresented in BE patients as compared to GERD patients with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.63 (95% CI 0.42-0.95, P = 0.03) and of 0.56 (95% CI 0.33-0.96, P = 0.03), respectively, while the K haplogroup was protective against EAC (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.07-0.86, P = 0.05). A significant overrepresentation of the F haplogroup was found in EAC compared to BE and GERD patients (34% vs. 27% and 23%, respectively). The F haplogroup was found to be a risk factor for EAC with an OR of 1.5 (95% CI 1.03-2.19, P = 0.03). We identified the R1a and K haplogroups as protective factors against development of BE. These haplogroups have low frequencies in white male populations. Of importance is that we could link the presence of the predominantly occurring F haplogroup in white males to EAC. It is possible that this F haplogroup is associated to genetic variants that predispose for the EAC development. In future, the haplogroups could be applied to improve stratification of BE and GERD patients with increased risk to develop BE and/or EAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- W M Westra
- CEMM, Amsterdam UMC-AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC-AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A M Rygiel
- CEMM, Amsterdam UMC-AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, Warsaw, Poland
| | - N Mostafavi
- Biostatistical Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G M J de Wit
- CEMM, Amsterdam UMC-AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A L Roes
- CEMM, Amsterdam UMC-AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - L M G Moons
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UMC Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M P Peppelenbosch
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S Ouburg
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC-VUMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S A Morré
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC-VUMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - M Jacobs
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC-VUMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - P D Siersema
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud UMC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - S Repping
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC-AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K K Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - K K Krishnadath
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC-AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,Address correspondence to: Professor Kausilia K. Krishnadath, MD, PhD, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC-AMC, Amsterdam, C2-321, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Levkova M, Chervenkov T, Angelova L. The association of gr/gr deletion in the Y chromosome and impaired spermatogenesis in Bulgarian males: a pilot study. MIDDLE EAST FERTILITY SOCIETY JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s43043-020-00020-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The microdeletions of the Y chromosome are associated with a decreased number of sperm cells in the ejaculate and male infertility. One such deletion is the gr/gr, which leads to reduction of the alleles in the DAZ gene. In order to evaluate its role, 30 patients with sperm count below 5 × 106/mL and 30 normal fertile men were genotyped for microdeletions in Azoospermia Factor (AZF) region, including gr/gr deletion.
Results
Twenty-one men (70.00%) from the males with impaired fertility had a normal genotype, seven men (23.33%) were carriers of a gr/gr deletion, and two men (6.67%) demonstrated a deletion of the AZFc region. From the control group, there were 22 men (73.33%) with no deletion, seven (23.33%) carried a gr/gr deletion, and one man (3.33%) carried a possible deletion in the b1-b4 region of the Y chromosome. The gr/gr deletion of the Y chromosome showed a statistically nonsignificant difference (p = 0.94, alpha < 0.05) with the control group (chi-square, degrees of freedom 0.006).
Conclusion
The results from the research show no association between this deletion and male infertility in the studied population. Despite the small sample size, the high frequency of the gr/gr deletion, found in the control group, suggests that this variant may not be associated with impaired spermatogenesis.
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Sun Y, Zhang P, Zhang N, Rong L, Yu X, Huang X, Li Y. Cytogenetic analysis of 3387 umbilical cord blood in pregnant women at high risk for chromosomal abnormalities. Mol Cytogenet 2020; 13:2. [PMID: 31998409 PMCID: PMC6979326 DOI: 10.1186/s13039-020-0469-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cordocentesis in our practice is most commonly indicated for rapid karyotyping in the second or third trimester and is regarded as the gold standard for foetal chromosomal aberration diagnosis in pregnancies at high risk for chromosomal abnormalities. In this study, we investigated 3387 umbilical cord blood samples for karyotyping from pregnant women who underwent cordocentesis and explored the pregnancy outcomes of foetal sex chromosome mosaicism and chromosomal polymorphism. Results Out of the 3387 samples, 182 abnormal karyotypes were detected. Ultrasound soft markers were the most common prenatal diagnostic indication, but the detection rate of abnormal karyotypes was 2.02%, while it was 46.97% in the genome-wide NIPT-positive group. The rate of aneuploidy was lower in the soft marker group than in the other groups. Out of 16 cases with sex chromosome mosaicism, three pregnant women with foetuses with a lower proportion of sex chromosome mosaicism delivered healthy foetuses; the foetus with karyotype 46,X,i(Y)(q10)[20]/45,X[6] showed unclear genitals. Three foetuses with chromosomal polymorphisms had postnatal disorders. Conclusions NIPT should not be recommended as the first-tier screening for chromosomal aberration for pregnancies with ultrasound soft markers or pathological ultrasound findings, but NIPT can be considered an acceptable alternative for pregnancies with contraindications to cordocentesis or the fear of procedure-related foetal loss. Mosaicism found in amniotic fluid cell culture requires further cordocentesis for karyotype confirmation, and the continuation of pregnancy is safe when a normal karyotype is identified in foetal blood culture. Further genetic testing and parental karyotype analysis are needed for foetal chromosomal polymorphisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Sun
- 1Graduate school of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017 P. R. China.,2Department of Reproductive Genetic Family, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050051 P. R. China
| | - Pingping Zhang
- 2Department of Reproductive Genetic Family, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050051 P. R. China
| | - Ning Zhang
- 2Department of Reproductive Genetic Family, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050051 P. R. China
| | - Limin Rong
- 2Department of Reproductive Genetic Family, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050051 P. R. China
| | - Xiaoping Yu
- 2Department of Reproductive Genetic Family, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050051 P. R. China
| | - Xianghua Huang
- 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 215 West Heping Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000 P. R. China
| | - Yali Li
- 2Department of Reproductive Genetic Family, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050051 P. R. China
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The Role of Number of Copies, Structure, Behavior and Copy Number Variations (CNV) of the Y Chromosome in Male Infertility. Genes (Basel) 2019; 11:genes11010040. [PMID: 31905733 PMCID: PMC7016774 DOI: 10.3390/genes11010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines infertility as the inability of a sexually active, non-contracepting couple to achieve spontaneous pregnancy within one year. Statistics show that the two sexes are equally at risk. Several causes may be responsible for male infertility; however, in 30–40% of cases a diagnosis of idiopathic male infertility is made in men with normal urogenital anatomy, no history of familial fertility-related diseases and a normal panel of values as for endocrine, genetic and biochemical markers. Idiopathic male infertility may be the result of gene/environment interactions, genetic and epigenetic abnormalities. Numerical and structural anomalies of the Y chromosome represent a minor yet significant proportion and are the topic discussed in this review. We searched the PubMed database and major search engines for reports about Y-linked male infertility. We present cases of Y-linked male infertility in terms of (i) anomalies of the Y chromosome structure/number; (ii) Y chromosome misbehavior in a normal genetic background; (iii) Y chromosome copy number variations (CNVs). We discuss possible explanations of male infertility caused by mutations, lower or higher number of copies of otherwise wild type, Y-linked sequences. Despite Y chromosome structural anomalies are not a major cause of male infertility, in case of negative results and of normal DNA sequencing of the ascertained genes causing infertility and mapping on this chromosome, we recommend an analysis of the karyotype integrity in all cases of idiopathic fertility impairment, with an emphasis on the structure and number of this chromosome.
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Liu C, Zhao X, Mu C, Li H, Ma J, Jiao H, Huo Z. The Association of Partial Azoospermia Factor C Deletions and Male Infertility in Northwestern China. Hum Hered 2019; 84:144-150. [PMID: 31805572 DOI: 10.1159/000504607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male infertility is a major health issue worldwide. Y chromosome microdeletions are well-characterized genetic causes of male infertility. The association of partial AZFc deletions (gr/gr, b2/b3, and b1/b3) with male infertility is not well confirmed in diverse populations. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the frequency of partial AZFc deletions and their association with male infertility in a population from Northwestern China. METHODS Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used to detect partial AZFc deletions in 228 infertile patients. We analyzed 141 cases of azoospermia (AS), 87 cases of oligozoospermia (OS), and 200 fertile controls. RESULTS Our data showed that the frequency of a b2/b3 deletion in infertile men, men with AS, men with OS, and controls was 3.51, 2.13, 5.75, and 0.00%, respectively. The frequency of this deletion was significantly different between the infertile group and the control group (3.51 vs. 0.00%, respectively, p = 0.021) and between the OS group and the control group (5.75 vs. 0.00%, respectively, p = 0.003). The frequency of a gr/gr deletion in each group was 11.84, 9.22, 16.09, and 7.50%, respectively. The frequency of a gr/gr deletion was significantly different between the OS group and the control group (16.09 vs. 7.50%, respectively, p = 0.026) but not between the infertile group and the control group (11.84 vs. 7.50%, p = 0.132) or the AS group and the control group (9.22 vs. 7.50%, p = 0.569). The frequency of a b1/b3 deletion was 0.44, 0.71, 0.00, and 3.00%, respectively. For this deletion, there was no significant difference between the infertile (0.44 vs. 3.00%, p = 0.089), AS (0.71 vs. 3.00%, p = 0.276), and OS groups (0.00 vs. 3.00%, p = 0.236) and the control group. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the b2/b3 deletion might be associated with male infertility and that the gr/gr deletion might be associated with spermatogenic failure in men with OS in Northwestern China (Ningxia).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Medical Genetic and Cell Biology, Basic Medicine Science College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Center for Reproductive Medicine, General Hospital, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xinyan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Medical Genetic and Cell Biology, Basic Medicine Science College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Chunlan Mu
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Medical Genetic and Cell Biology, Basic Medicine Science College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Hui Li
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Medical Genetic and Cell Biology, Basic Medicine Science College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jia Ma
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Medical Genetic and Cell Biology, Basic Medicine Science College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Haiyan Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China, .,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Yinchuan, China, .,Department of Medical Genetic and Cell Biology, Basic Medicine Science College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China,
| | - Zhenghao Huo
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Medical Genetic and Cell Biology, Basic Medicine Science College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
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Abstract
Male infertility is a multifactorial pathological condition affecting approximately 7% of the male population. The genetic landscape of male infertility is highly complex as semen and testis histological phenotypes are extremely heterogeneous, and at least 2,000 genes are involved in spermatogenesis. The highest frequency of known genetic factors contributing to male infertility (25%) is in azoospermia, but the number of identified genetic anomalies in other semen and aetiological categories is constantly growing. Genetic screening is relevant for its diagnostic value, clinical decision making, and appropriate genetic counselling. Anomalies in sex chromosomes have major roles in severe spermatogenic impairment. Autosome-linked gene mutations are mainly involved in central hypogonadism, monomorphic teratozoospermia or asthenozoospermia, congenital obstructive azoospermia, and familial cases of quantitative spermatogenic disturbances. Results from whole-genome association studies suggest a marginal role for common variants as causative factors; however, some of these variants can be important for pharmacogenetic purposes. Results of studies on copy number variations (CNVs) demonstrate a considerably higher CNV load in infertile patients than in normozoospermic men, whereas whole-exome analysis has proved to be a highly successful diagnostic tool in familial cases of male infertility. Despite such efforts, the aetiology of infertility remains unknown in about 40% of patients, and the discovery of novel genetic factors in idiopathic infertility is a major challenge for the field of androgenetics. Large, international, and consortium-based whole-exome and whole-genome studies are the most promising approach for the discovery of the missing genetic aetiology of idiopathic male infertility.
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Kuzmanovska M, Noveski P, Terzic M, Plaseski T, Kubelka-Sabit K, Filipovski V, Lazarevski S, Sukarova Stefanovska E, Plaseska-Karanfilska D. Y-chromosome haplogroup architecture confers susceptibility to azoospermia factor c microrearrangements: a retrospective study. Croat Med J 2019. [PMID: 31187956 PMCID: PMC6563173 DOI: 10.3325/cmj.2019.60.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim To assess the association between azoospermia factor c microrearrangements and semen quality, and between Y-chromosome background with distinct azoospermia factor c microrearrangements and semen quality impairment. Methods This retrospective study, carried out in the Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology “Georgi D. Efremov,” involved 486 men from different ethnic backgrounds referred for couple infertility from 2002-2017: 338 were azoospermic/oligozoospermic and 148 were normozoospermic. The azoospermia factor c microrearrangements were analyzed with sequence tagged site and sequence family variant markers, quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction, and multiplex ligation probe amplification analysis. The Y-haplogroups of all participants were determined with direct single nucleotide polymorphism typing and indirect prediction with short tandem repeat markers. Results Our participants had two types of microdeletions: gr/gr and b2/b3; three microduplications: b2/b4, gr/gr, and b2/b3; and one complex rearrangement gr/gr deletion + b2/b4 duplication. Impaired semen quality was not associated with microrearrangements, but b2/b4 and gr/gr duplications were significantly associated with haplogroup R1a (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively) and b2/b3 deletions with haplogroup E (P = 0.005). There were significantly more b2/b4 duplication carriers in Albanians than in Macedonians with haplogroup R1a (P = 0.031). Conclusion Even though azoospermia factor c partial deletions/duplications and Y-haplogroups were not associated with impaired semen quality, specific deletions/duplications were significantly associated with distinct haplogroups, implying that the Y chromosome background may confer susceptibility to azoospermia factor c microrearrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dijana Plaseska-Karanfilska
- Dijana Plaseska-Karanfilska, Research Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology "Georgi D. Efremov", Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Krste Misirkov 2, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia,
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44
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Pinho A, Barros A, Fernandes S. Clinical and molecular characterization of Y microdeletions and X-linked CNV67 implications in male fertility: a 20-year experience. Andrology 2019; 8:307-314. [PMID: 31355535 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 15% of couples worldwide are affected with infertility, attributed to a male co-factor in about half of the cases. Y chromosome microdeletions are the second most common genetic cause for male infertility, with a global prevalence of 2-10% in infertile men. Recently, CNV67, localized in X chromosome, has emerged as potential contributor to male infertility, with a described frequency of 1.1% in the oligo/azoospermic men. OBJECTIVES To investigate the prevalence of Y-linked CNVs in a cohort of Portuguese infertile men and correlate the patients' phenotypes with a genetic alteration; to investigate the CNV67 deletion in a subset of patients and corroborate the role of this CNV in male infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analysed a database of 4000 Portuguese infertile men for karyotype anomalies and Y microdeletions and selected a cohort of 400 for CNV67 screening analysis by quantitative PCR or single PCR plus/minus. RESULTS Karyotype anomalies were present in 263 patients (6.6%), with Klinefelter syndrome representing the most frequent karyotype anomaly (2.8%). Among the 4000 patients, the prevalence of Yq microdeletions was 4.6%. Ninety microdeletions (10.0%) were found in the azoospermic group, 44 deletions (4.5%) in the severe oligozoospermic group, 1 AZFc partial deletion (0.3%) in the mild-moderate oligozoospermic group and 2 partial AZFc deletions (0.4%) in the normozoospermic group. Complete AZFc deletions represented 56.8% of the Yq microdeletions. The CNV67 deletion frequency was 1.2% in the studied sample. CONCLUSIONS This study presents one of the largest samples of infertile men worldwide with the main purpose of correlating the Yq microdeletions with sperm count. Our findings are supported by previous reviews with large data and provide a reliable estimation of the prevalence of these anomalies in a Portuguese population. CNV67 was exclusively deleted in patients with spermatogenic impairment, showing a consistent genotype-phenotype correlation and a significant prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pinho
- Genetic Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A Barros
- Genetic Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Centre for Reproductive Genetics A Barros, Porto, Portugal
| | - S Fernandes
- Genetic Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Ferlin A, Dipresa S, Delbarba A, Maffezzoni F, Porcelli T, Cappelli C, Foresta C. Contemporary genetics-based diagnostics of male infertility. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2019; 19:623-633. [DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2019.1633917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Ferlin
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Savina Dipresa
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Delbarba
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, ASST Spedali Civili Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Filippo Maffezzoni
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Teresa Porcelli
- Endocrinology, Montichiari Hospital, ASST Spedali Civili Brescia, Montichiari, Italy
| | - Carlo Cappelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Carlo Foresta
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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46
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Moreno-Mendoza D, Casamonti E, Paoli D, Chianese C, Riera-Escamilla A, Giachini C, Fino MG, Cioppi F, Lotti F, Vinci S, Magini A, Ars E, Sanchez-Curbelo J, Ruiz-Castane E, Lenzi A, Lombardo F, Krausz C. gr/gr deletion predisposes to testicular germ cell tumour independently from altered spermatogenesis: results from the largest European study. Eur J Hum Genet 2019; 27:1578-1588. [PMID: 31053779 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-019-0420-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The association between impaired spermatogenesis and TGCT has stimulated research on shared genetic factors. Y chromosome-linked partial AZFc deletions predispose to oligozoospermia and were also studied in TGCT patients with controversial results. In the largest study reporting the association between gr/gr deletion and TGCT, sperm parameters were unknown. Hence, it remains to be established whether this genetic defect truly represents a common genetic link between TGCT and impaired sperm production. Our aim was to explore the role of the following Y chromosome-linked factors in the predisposition to TGCT: (i) gr/gr deletion in subjects with known sperm parameters; (ii) other partial AZFc deletions and, for the first time, the role of partial AZFc duplications; (iii) DAZ gene dosage variation. 497 TGCT patients and 2030 controls from two Mediterranean populations with full semen/andrological characterization were analyzed through a series of molecular genetic techniques. Our most interesting finding concerns the gr/gr deletion and DAZ gene dosage variation (i.e., DAZ copy number is different from the reference sequence), both conferring TGCT susceptibility. In particular, the highest risk was observed when normozoospermic TGCT and normozoospermic controls were compared (OR = 3.7; 95% CI = 1.5-9.1; p = 0.006 for gr/gr deletion and OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.1-3.0; p = 0.013 for DAZ gene dosage alteration). We report in the largest European study population the predisposing effect of gr/gr deletion to TGCT as an independent risk factor from impaired spermatogenesis. Our finding implies regular tumour screening/follow-up in male family members of TGCT patients with gr/gr deletion and in infertile gr/gr deletion carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Moreno-Mendoza
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Casamonti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Donatella Paoli
- Laboratory of Seminology-Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine "Sapienza", University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Chianese
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Riera-Escamilla
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Claudia Giachini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Fino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Cioppi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Lotti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Serena Vinci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Angela Magini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabet Ars
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Fundació Puigvert, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josvany Sanchez-Curbelo
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Ruiz-Castane
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Lenzi
- Laboratory of Seminology-Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine "Sapienza", University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Lombardo
- Laboratory of Seminology-Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine "Sapienza", University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain. .,Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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Rani DS, Rajender S, Pavani K, Chaubey G, Rasalkar AA, Gupta NJ, Deendayal M, Chakravarty B, Thangaraj K. High frequencies of Non Allelic Homologous Recombination (NAHR) events at the AZF loci and male infertility risk in Indian men. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6276. [PMID: 31000748 PMCID: PMC6472346 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42690-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Deletions in the AZoospermia Factor (AZF) regions (spermatogenesis loci) on the human Y chromosome are reported as one of the most common causes of severe testiculopathy and spermatogenic defects leading to male infertility, yet not much data is available for Indian infertile men. Therefore, we screened for AZF region deletions in 973 infertile men consisting of 771 azoospermia, 105 oligozoospermia and 97 oligoteratozoospermia cases, along with 587 fertile normozoospermic men. The deletion screening was carried out using AZF-specific markers: STSs (Sequence Tagged Sites), SNVs (Single Nucleotide Variations), PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) analysis of STS amplicons, DNA sequencing and Southern hybridization techniques. Our study revealed deletion events in a total of 29.4% of infertile Indian men. Of these, non-allelic homologous recombination (NAHR) events accounted for 25.8%, which included 3.5% AZFb deletions, 2.3% AZFbc deletions, 6.9% complete AZFc deletions, and 13.1% partial AZFc deletions. We observed 3.2% AZFa deletions and a rare long AZFabc region deletion in 0.5% azoospermic men. This study illustrates how the ethnicity, endogamy and long-time geographical isolation of Indian populations might have played a major role in the high frequencies of deletion events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepa Selvi Rani
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Kadupu Pavani
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
| | | | | | - Nalini J Gupta
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Salt Lake, Kolkata, India
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Jia C, Li L, Chen S, Li D, Wang X, Liu R, Zhang H. Cytogenetic and molecular characterization of an oligoasthenozoospermia male carrier of an unbalanced Y;22 translocation: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e15209. [PMID: 30985718 PMCID: PMC6485881 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000015209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Y;autosome translocations are associated with male infertility and azoospermia. Some carriers with a Y:22 translocation can produce offspring and transmit the translocation through generations without phenotypic repercussion. Hence, the clinical features of carriers with certain Y chromosome abnormalities remain uncertain. PATIENT CONCERNS An apparently healthy 33-year-old man, 175 cm tall and weighing 60 kg had a 6-month history of primary infertility. DIAGNOSES The patient was diagnosed with oligoasthenozoospermia. A series of examinations have been performed to evaluate possible genetic causes of this diagnosis. Several methods included semen analysis, hormone measurements, cytogenetic analysis, and high-throughput multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification semiconductor sequencing. INTERVENTIONS The patient underwent detailed genetic counseling. Cytogenetic analysis was advised for his father. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis was performed to improve potential pregnancy success rate. OUTCOMES Semen analysis revealed oligoasthenozoospermia. Hormone levels were within the normal limits. The karyotype of the patient and his father was 45,X,der(Y;22). Sequencing results indicated the presence of the sex-determining region on the Y chromosome gene. Y-chromosome microdeletion detection showed the presence of AZF (azoospermic factor)a, AZFb, and AZFc regions, but deletion of b2/b3 and duplication of b3/b4 regions. LESSONS A clinical karyotype report involving a Y chromosome abnormality should consider the results of semen analysis, which helps to identify the chromosomal breakpoint. Semiconductor sequencing technology was useful for clarifying AZF gene microdeletions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunshu Jia
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital
- Jilin Engineering Research Center for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Linlin Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital
- Jilin Engineering Research Center for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shuang Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital
- Jilin Engineering Research Center for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dejun Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital
- Jilin Engineering Research Center for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital
- Jilin Engineering Research Center for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ruizhi Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital
- Jilin Engineering Research Center for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongguo Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital
- Jilin Engineering Research Center for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Cioppi F, Casamonti E, Krausz C. Age-Dependent De Novo Mutations During Spermatogenesis and Their Consequences. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1166:29-46. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-21664-1_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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50
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Heterochromatin-Enriched Assemblies Reveal the Sequence and Organization of the Drosophila melanogaster Y Chromosome. Genetics 2018; 211:333-348. [PMID: 30420487 PMCID: PMC6325706 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.118.301765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterochromatic regions of the genome are repeat-rich and poor in protein coding genes, and are therefore underrepresented in even the best genome assemblies. One of the most difficult regions of the genome to assemble are sex-limited chromosomes. The Drosophila melanogaster Y chromosome is entirely heterochromatic, yet has wide-ranging effects on male fertility, fitness, and genome-wide gene expression. The genetic basis of this phenotypic variation is difficult to study, in part because we do not know the detailed organization of the Y chromosome. To study Y chromosome organization in D. melanogaster, we develop an assembly strategy involving the in silico enrichment of heterochromatic long single-molecule reads and use these reads to create targeted de novo assemblies of heterochromatic sequences. We assigned contigs to the Y chromosome using Illumina reads to identify male-specific sequences. Our pipeline extends the D. melanogaster reference genome by 11.9 Mb, closes 43.8% of the gaps, and improves overall contiguity. The addition of 10.6 MB of Y-linked sequence permitted us to study the organization of repeats and genes along the Y chromosome. We detected a high rate of duplication to the pericentric regions of the Y chromosome from other regions in the genome. Most of these duplicated genes exist in multiple copies. We detail the evolutionary history of one sex-linked gene family, crystal-Stellate While the Y chromosome does not undergo crossing over, we observed high gene conversion rates within and between members of the crystal-Stellate gene family, Su(Ste), and PCKR, compared to genome-wide estimates. Our results suggest that gene conversion and gene duplication play an important role in the evolution of Y-linked genes.
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