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Li D, Luo B, Luo Y, Feng K, Li X, Zhu L, Ruan L, Cai F, Liao Y, Li L. Normal sperm quality despite partial deletion of sY84 in the AZFa region: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e39481. [PMID: 39213242 PMCID: PMC11365620 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000039481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The complete absence of the azoospermia factor A (AZFa) region typically results in nonobstructive azoospermia. Partial deletions of the AZFa region are particularly noteworthy due to the limited and enigmatic reports of partial deletions in the AZFa region. Here, we present a rare case report of partial deletion of sY84 in the AZFa region but exhibiting normal sperm quality. The aim of this case report is to gain a deeper insight into the impact of AZFa region deletion on male fertility and to guide future clinical decisions and treatment strategies. METHODS AND RESULTS A 25-year-old man presented to the hospital with his 25-year-old wife due to recurrent spontaneous abortions. Routine semen analysis, sperm morphology analysis, acrosomal enzyme analysis, sperm DNA fragmentation indexed, and peripheral blood karyotype analysis revealed no abnormalities. Y chromosome microdeletion was detected by real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction, which showed that sY84 could not be amplified and sY86 was amplified nonspecifically. The man was diagnosed with partial deletions in the AZFa region. The wife underwent in vitro fertilization treatment for tubal infertility and recurrent spontaneous abortions. The couple successfully delivered a healthy daughter weighing 2.7 kg at 39 weeks of gestation, following 2 assisted reproductive pregnancies. CONCLUSION Our findings contribute to expanding our knowledge of the AZFa region. A sY84 deficiency in the AZFa region may not lead to spermatogenesis failure and may potentially be one of the factors causing recurrent miscarriages, which needs to be confirmed by further data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derong Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Bowen Luo
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Yudi Luo
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Keng Feng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Lingling Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Luhai Ruan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Fuman Cai
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Yujuan Liao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Ling Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin, Guangxi, China
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2
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Geng H, Wang K, Liang D, Ni X, Yu H, Tang D, Lv M, Wu H, Li K, Shen Q, Gao Y, Xu C, Zhou P, Wei Z, Cao Y, Sha Y, Yang X, He X. Further evidence from DNAH12 supports favorable fertility outcomes of infertile males with dynein axonemal heavy chain gene family variants. iScience 2024; 27:110366. [PMID: 39071892 PMCID: PMC11278020 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a major concern affecting reproductive health. Biallelic deleterious variants of most DNAH gene family members have been linked to male infertility, with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) being an efficacious way to achieve offspring. However, the association between DNAH12 and male infertility is still limited. Here, we identified one homozygous variant and two compound heterozygous variants in DNAH12 from three infertile Chinese men. Semen analysis revealed severe asthenozoospermia, abnormal morphology, and structure of sperm flagella. Furthermore, the Dnah12 knock-out mouse revealed severe spermatogenesis failure and validated the same male infertility phenotype. Favorable fertility outcomes were achieved through ICSI in three human individuals and Dnah12 knock-out mice. Collectively, our study indicated that biallelic variants of DNAH12 can induce male infertility in both human beings and mice. Notably, evidence from DNAH12 enhanced that ICSI was an optimal intervention to achieve favorable fertility outcomes for infertile males with DNAH gene family variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Geng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Dan Liang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaoqing Ni
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hui Yu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Dongdong Tang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Mingrong Lv
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Kuokuo Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qunshan Shen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chuan Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhaolian Wei
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yanwei Sha
- School of Public Health & Women and Children's Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, The Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, China
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3
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Ruan T, Zhou R, Yang Y, Guo J, Jiang C, Wang X, Shen G, Dai S, Chen S, Shen Y. Deficiency of IQCH causes male infertility in humans and mice. eLife 2024; 12:RP88905. [PMID: 39028117 PMCID: PMC11259432 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88905] [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] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
IQ motif-containing proteins can be recognized by calmodulin (CaM) and are essential for many biological processes. However, the role of IQ motif-containing proteins in spermatogenesis is largely unknown. In this study, we identified a loss-of-function mutation in the novel gene IQ motif-containing H (IQCH) in a Chinese family with male infertility characterized by a cracked flagellar axoneme and abnormal mitochondrial structure. To verify the function of IQCH, Iqch knockout (KO) mice were generated via CRISPR-Cas9 technology. As expected, the Iqch KO male mice exhibited impaired fertility, which was related to deficient acrosome activity and abnormal structures of the axoneme and mitochondria, mirroring the patient phenotypes. Mechanistically, IQCH can bind to CaM and subsequently regulate the expression of RNA-binding proteins (especially HNRPAB), which are indispensable for spermatogenesis. Overall, this study revealed the function of IQCH, expanded the role of IQ motif-containing proteins in reproductive processes, and provided important guidance for genetic counseling and genetic diagnosis of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiechao Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ruixi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yihong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Junchen Guo
- Sichuan University-The Chinese University of Hong Kong (SCU-CUHK) Joint Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynaecologic and Paediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Regulation Laboratory, Department of Obstetric and Gynaecologic, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Gan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Siyu Dai
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Suren Chen
- Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Ying Shen
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
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4
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Zhang G, Ye F, Yang Y, Xiong D, Zhi W, Wu Y, Sun Y, Zeng J, Liu W. Identification of a novel mutation in chibby family member 2 in a non-obstructive azoospermic patient. Reprod Biol 2024; 24:100891. [PMID: 38733656 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2024.100891] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Azoospermia constitutes a significant factor in male infertility, defined by the absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate, afflicting 15% of infertile men. However, a subset of azoospermic cases remains unattributed to known genetic variants. Prior investigations have identified the chibby family member 2 (CBY2) as prominently and specifically expressed in the testes of both humans and mice, implicating its potential involvement in spermatogenesis. In this study, we conducted whole exome sequencing (WES) on an infertile family to uncover novel genetic factors contributing to azoospermia. Our analysis revealed a homozygous c .355 C>A variant of CBY2 in a non-obstructive azoospermic patient. This deleterious variant significantly diminished the protein expression of CBY2 both in vivo and in vitro, leading to a pronounced disruption of spermatogenesis at the early round spermatid stage post-meiosis. This disruption was characterized by a nearly complete loss of elongating and elongated spermatids. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and co-immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated the interaction between CBY2 and Piwi-like protein 1 (PIWIL1). Immunofluorescence staining further confirmed the co-localization of CBY2 and PIWIL1 in the testes during the spermatogenic process in both humans and mice. Additionally, diminished PIWIL1 expression was observed in the testicular tissue from the affected patient. Our findings suggest that the homozygous c .355 C>A variant of CBY2 compromises CBY2 function, contributing to defective spermatogenesis at the round spermiogenic stage and implicating its role in the pathogenesis of azoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu 610045, China; Reproductive Medicine Center, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu 610045, China
| | - Fei Ye
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu 610045, China
| | - Yihong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Dongsheng Xiong
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu 610045, China
| | - Weiwei Zhi
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu 610045, China
| | - Yang Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu 610045, China
| | - Yongkang Sun
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jiuzhi Zeng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu 610045, China.
| | - Weixin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu 610045, China.
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5
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Bahmyari S, Khatami SH, Taghvimi S, Rezaei Arablouydareh S, Taheri-Anganeh M, Ghasemnejad-Berenji H, Farazmand T, Soltani Fard E, Solati A, Movahedpour A, Ghasemi H. MicroRNAs in Male Fertility. DNA Cell Biol 2024; 43:108-124. [PMID: 38394131 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2023.0314] [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] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Around 50% of all occurrences of infertility are attributable to the male factor, which is a significant global public health concern. There are numerous circumstances that might interfere with spermatogenesis and cause the body to produce abnormal sperm. While evaluating sperm, the count, the speed at which they migrate, and their appearance are the three primary characteristics that are analyzed. MicroRNAs, also known as miRNAs, are present in all physiological fluids and tissues. They participate in both physiological and pathological processes. Researches have demonstrated that the expression of microRNA genes differs in infertile men. These genes regulate spermatogenesis at various stages and in several male reproductive cells. Hence, microRNAs have the potential to act as useful indicators in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility and other diseases affecting male reproduction. Despite this, additional research is necessary to determine the precise miRNA regulation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedigheh Bahmyari
- Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyyed Hossein Khatami
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Taghvimi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Sahar Rezaei Arablouydareh
- Reproductive Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mortaza Taheri-Anganeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Hojat Ghasemnejad-Berenji
- Reproductive Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Tooba Farazmand
- Departmant of Gynecology, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Elahe Soltani Fard
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Arezoo Solati
- Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Peng Y, Guo R, Shi B, Li D. The role of long non-coding RNA H19 in infertility. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:268. [PMID: 37507391 PMCID: PMC10382492 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01567-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after at least one year of unprotected intercourse. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts that contain more than 200 nucleotides but do not convert into proteins. LncRNAs, particularly lncRNA H19, have been linked to the emergence and progression of various diseases. This review focuses on the role of H19 in infertility caused by polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, diminished ovarian reserve, male factor, and assisted reproductive technology-related pathology, highlighting the potential of H19 as a molecular target for the future treatment of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Peng
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Fertility (China Medical University), National Health Commission, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Renhao Guo
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Bei Shi
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Fertility (China Medical University), National Health Commission, Shenyang, 110004, China.
- Department of Physiology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
| | - Da Li
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Fertility (China Medical University), National Health Commission, Shenyang, 110004, China.
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7
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Huang HH, Hsieh SJ, Chen MS, Jhou MJ, Liu TC, Shen HL, Yang CT, Hung CC, Yu YY, Lu CJ. Machine Learning Predictive Models for Evaluating Risk Factors Affecting Sperm Count: Predictions Based on Health Screening Indicators. J Clin Med 2023; 12:1220. [PMID: 36769868 PMCID: PMC9917545 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12031220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In many countries, especially developed nations, the fertility rate and birth rate have continually declined. Taiwan's fertility rate has paralleled this trend and reached its nadir in 2022. Therefore, the government uses many strategies to encourage more married couples to have children. However, couples marrying at an older age may have declining physical status, as well as hypertension and other metabolic syndrome symptoms, in addition to possibly being overweight, which have been the focus of the studies for their influences on male and female gamete quality. Many previous studies based on infertile people are not truly representative of the general population. This study proposed a framework using five machine learning (ML) predictive algorithms-random forest, stochastic gradient boosting, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, ridge regression, and extreme gradient boosting-to identify the major risk factors affecting male sperm count based on a major health screening database in Taiwan. Unlike traditional multiple linear regression, ML algorithms do not need statistical assumptions and can capture non-linear relationships or complex interactions between dependent and independent variables to generate promising performance. We analyzed annual health screening data of 1375 males from 2010 to 2017, including data on health screening indicators, sourced from the MJ Group, a major health screening center in Taiwan. The symmetric mean absolute percentage error, relative absolute error, root relative squared error, and root mean squared error were used as performance evaluation metrics. Our results show that sleep time (ST), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), body fat (BF), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) are the top five risk factors associated with sperm count. ST is a known risk factor influencing reproductive hormone balance, which can affect spermatogenesis and final sperm count. BF and SBP are risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome, another known risk factor of altered male reproductive hormone systems. However, AFP has not been the focus of previous studies on male fertility or semen quality. BUN, the index for kidney function, is also identified as a risk factor by our established ML model. Our results support previous findings that metabolic syndrome has negative impacts on sperm count and semen quality. Sleep duration also has an impact on sperm generation in the testes. AFP and BUN are two novel risk factors linked to sperm counts. These findings could help healthcare personnel and law makers create strategies for creating environments to increase the country's fertility rate. This study should also be of value to follow-up research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Hsiang Huang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Ju Hsieh
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shu Chen
- Department of Healthcare Administration, College of Healthcare & Management, Asia Eastern University of Science and Technology, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan
| | - Mao-Jhen Jhou
- Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chi Liu
- Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Li Shen
- Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Te Yang
- Department of Business Administration, Tamkang University, New Taipei City 251, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Chih Hung
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Yen Yu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Chang-Hua Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Chang Hua County 513, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Jie Lu
- Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
- Artificial Intelligence Development Center, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
- Department of Information Management, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
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8
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Mazzilli R, Rucci C, Vaiarelli A, Cimadomo D, Ubaldi FM, Foresta C, Ferlin A. Male factor infertility and assisted reproductive technologies: indications, minimum access criteria and outcomes. J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:1079-1085. [PMID: 36633791 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-02000-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility, which is defined as the inability to conceive after at least 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourses, affects about 15-20% of couples worldwide and a male factor is involved in about half of the cases. The development of assisted reproductive technology (ART) made it possible to conceive also to individuals affected from severe oligospermia or azoospermia. However, the impact of the male factor on embryo development, implantation, prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities, genetic and epigenetic alterations, and clinical and obstetric outcomes is still controversial. PURPOSE This narrative review examines the indications, minimum access criteria, and outcomes by individual ART technique in relation to the male factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Mazzilli
- Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Di Grottarossa, 1036-1039, 00100, Rome, Italy.
- GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy.
| | - C Rucci
- GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Gynecologic Unit, University of Rome "TorVergata", Rome, Italy
| | - A Vaiarelli
- GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - D Cimadomo
- GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - F M Ubaldi
- GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - C Foresta
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - A Ferlin
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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9
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Correlation between CFTR variants and outcomes of ART in patients with CAVD in Central China. Sci Rep 2023; 13:64. [PMID: 36604502 PMCID: PMC9814922 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26384-8] [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] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Biallelic variants in Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) are the main pathogenic factor of congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD), including congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) and congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens (CUAVD). However, there are few reports about the correlation between CFTR variant and outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in CAVD patients of China. In this study, 104 patients with CAVD were recruited in Central China, and provided gene detection by the whole-exome sequencing, among them 69% (72/104) carried at least one variant in CFTR and one carried adhesion G protein-coupled receptor G2 (ADGRG2) variant. A total of 81 CAVD patients were treated with ART, of which 21 and 60 carried none or at least one variant in CFTR, respectively. The fertilization rate, cleavage rate, effective embryo rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate per fresh embryo transfer were compared between patients with and without CFTR variants. It was found that the ART outcomes had no significant difference whether the patients carried the CFTR variant or not. In addition, all of the offspring were healthy after follow-up. In conclusion, rare CFTR variants may play a major role in patients with CAVD in Central China, which were greatly different from other descent. There was no significant difference in ART outcomes in CAVD patients with or without CFTR variants. The limitations of this study were that there was no statistical analysis of the sperm quality through TESA and conclusions were relatively limited due to the small sample size of the study.
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10
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Guzmán-Jiménez A, González-Muñoz S, Cerván-Martín M, Rivera-Egea R, Garrido N, Luján S, Santos-Ribeiro S, Castilla JA, Gonzalvo MC, Clavero A, Vicente FJ, Maldonado V, Villegas-Salmerón J, Burgos M, Jiménez R, Pinto MG, Pereira I, Nunes J, Sánchez-Curbelo J, López-Rodrigo O, Pereira-Caetano I, Marques PI, Carvalho F, Barros A, Bassas L, Seixas S, Gonçalves J, Lopes AM, Larriba S, Palomino-Morales RJ, Carmona FD, Bossini-Castillo L. Contribution of TEX15 genetic variants to the risk of developing severe non-obstructive oligozoospermia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1089782. [PMID: 36589743 PMCID: PMC9797780 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1089782] [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] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Severe spermatogenic failure (SPGF) represents one of the most relevant causes of male infertility. This pathological condition can lead to extreme abnormalities in the seminal sperm count, such as severe oligozoospermia (SO) or non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Most cases of SPGF have an unknown aetiology, and it is known that this idiopathic form of male infertility represents a complex condition. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether common genetic variation in TEX15, which encodes a key player in spermatogenesis, is involved in the susceptibility to idiopathic SPGF. Materials and Methods: We designed a genetic association study comprising a total of 727 SPGF cases (including 527 NOA and 200 SO) and 1,058 unaffected men from the Iberian Peninsula. Following a tagging strategy, three tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TEX15 (rs1362912, rs323342, and rs323346) were selected for genotyping using TaqMan probes. Case-control association tests were then performed by logistic regression models. In silico analyses were also carried out to shed light into the putative functional implications of the studied variants. Results: A significant increase in TEX15-rs1362912 minor allele frequency (MAF) was observed in the group of SO patients (MAF = 0.0842) compared to either the control cohort (MAF = 0.0468, OR = 1.90, p = 7.47E-03) or the NOA group (MAF = 0.0472, OR = 1.83, p = 1.23E-02). The genotype distribution of the SO population was also different from those of both control (p = 1.14E-02) and NOA groups (p = 4.33-02). The analysis of functional annotations of the human genome suggested that the effect of the SO-associated TEX15 variants is likely exerted by alteration of the binding affinity of crucial transcription factors for spermatogenesis. Conclusion: Our results suggest that common variation in TEX15 is involved in the genetic predisposition to SO, thus supporting the notion of idiopathic SPGF as a complex trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Guzmán-Jiménez
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Sara González-Muñoz
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Miriam Cerván-Martín
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Rocío Rivera-Egea
- Andrology Laboratory and Sperm Bank, IVIRMA Valencia, Valencia, Spain,IVI Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nicolás Garrido
- IVI Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain,Servicio de Urología. Hospital Universitari i Politecnic La Fe e Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Saturnino Luján
- Servicio de Urología. Hospital Universitari i Politecnic La Fe e Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Samuel Santos-Ribeiro
- IVI-RMA Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José A. Castilla
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain,Unidad de Reproducción, UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología, HU Virgen de Las Nieves, Granada, Spain,CEIFER Biobanco—GAMETIA, Granada, Spain
| | - M. Carmen Gonzalvo
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain,Unidad de Reproducción, UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología, HU Virgen de Las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Clavero
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain,Unidad de Reproducción, UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología, HU Virgen de Las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - F. Javier Vicente
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain,UGC de Urología, HU Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Vicente Maldonado
- UGC de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén, Jaén, Spain
| | - Javier Villegas-Salmerón
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel Burgos
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Rafael Jiménez
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Maria Graça Pinto
- Centro de Medicina Reprodutiva, Maternidade Alfredo da Costa, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Isabel Pereira
- Departamento de Obstetrícia, Ginecologia e Medicina da Reprodução, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joaquim Nunes
- Departamento de Obstetrícia, Ginecologia e Medicina da Reprodução, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Josvany Sánchez-Curbelo
- Laboratory of Seminology and Embryology, Andrology Service-Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga López-Rodrigo
- Laboratory of Seminology and Embryology, Andrology Service-Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iris Pereira-Caetano
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Patricia Isabel Marques
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipa Carvalho
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Serviço de Genética, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alberto Barros
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Serviço de Genética, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lluís Bassas
- Laboratory of Seminology and Embryology, Andrology Service-Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Seixas
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - João Gonçalves
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,ToxOmics—Centro de Toxicogenómica e Saúde Humana, Nova Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alexandra M. Lopes
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,CGPP-IBMC—Centro de Genética Preditiva e Preventiva, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Larriba
- Human Molecular Genetics Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rogelio J. Palomino-Morales
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain,Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - F. David Carmona
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain,*Correspondence: F. David Carmona, ; Lara Bossini-Castillo,
| | - Lara Bossini-Castillo
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain,*Correspondence: F. David Carmona, ; Lara Bossini-Castillo,
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11
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Rocca MS, Minervini G, Vinanzi C, Bottacin A, Lia F, Foresta C, Pennuto M, Ferlin A. Mutational screening of androgen receptor gene in 8224 men of infertile couples. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 108:1181-1191. [PMID: 36394509 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Mutations in Androgen receptor (AR) gene might be associated with infertility mainly because they cause various degree of androgen insensitivity. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency and type of AR variants in a large cohort of infertile males. PATIENTS AND SETTING 8224 males of Italian idiopathic infertile couples referred University Hospital of Padova. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mutational screening of AR, computational and functional analyses. RESULTS We found 131 patients (1.6%) harboring 45 variants in AR gene, of which 18 were novel missense AR variants. Patients with AR gene variants had lower sperm count (p = 0.048), higher testosterone concentration (p < 0.0001) and higher androgen sensitivity index (ASI) [LH x testosterone (T), p < 0.001] compared to patients without variants. Statistical analyses found T ≥ 15.38 nmol/l and ASI ≥180 IU × nmol/l2 as threshold values to discriminate with good accuracy patients with AR variants. Patients with oligozoospermia and T ≥ 15.38 nmol/l have a 9-fold increased risk of harboring mutations compared to patients with normal sperm count and T < 15.38 nmol/l (OR 9.29, 95% CI 5.07-17.02). Using computational and functional approaches, we identified two novel variants, L595P and L791I, as potentially pathogenic. CONCLUSION This is the largest study screening AR gene variants in men of idiopathic infertile couples. We found that the prevalence of variants increased to 3.4% in oligozoospermic subjects with T ≥ 15.38 nmol/l. Conversely, more than 80% of men with AR gene variants had low sperm count and high T levels. Based on our findings, we suggest AR sequencing as a routine genetic test in cases of idiopathic oligozoospermia with T ≥ 15.38 nmol/L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Santa Rocca
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Cinzia Vinanzi
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alberto Bottacin
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Federica Lia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Carlo Foresta
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Pennuto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Alberto Ferlin
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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12
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Whole Exome Sequencing and In Silico Analysis of Human Sertoli in Patients with Non-Obstructive Azoospermia. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012570. [PMID: 36293429 PMCID: PMC9604420 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a serious cause of male infertility. The Sertoli cell responds to androgens and takes on roles supporting spermatogenesis, which may cause infertility. This work aims to enhance the genetic diagnosis of NOA via the discovery of new and hub genes implicated in human NOA and to better assess the odds of successful sperm extraction according to the individual’s genotype. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was done on three NOA patients to find key genes involved in NOA. We evaluated genome-wide transcripts (about 50,000 transcripts) by microarray between the Sertoli of non-obstructive azoospermia and normal cells. The microarray analysis of three human cases with different non-obstructive azoospermia revealed that 32 genes were upregulated, and the expressions of 113 genes were downregulated versus the normal case. For this purpose, Enrich Shiny GO, STRING, and Cytoscape online evaluations were applied to predict the functional and molecular interactions of proteins and then recognize the master pathways. The functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that the biological process (BP) terms “inositol lipid-mediated signaling”, “positive regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II”, and “positive regulation of DNA-templated transcription” significantly changed in upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The BP investigation of downregulated DEGs highlighted “mitotic cytokinesis”, “regulation of protein-containing complex assembly”, “cytoskeleton-dependent cytokinesis”, and the “peptide metabolic process”. Overrepresented molecular function (MF) terms in upregulated DEGs included “ubiquitin-specific protease binding”, “protease binding”, “phosphatidylinositol trisphosphate phosphatase activity”, and “clathrin light chain binding”. Interestingly, the MF analysis of the downregulated DEGs revealed overexpression in “ATPase inhibitor activity”, “glutathione transferase activity”, and “ATPase regulator activity”. Our findings suggest that these genes and their interacting hub proteins could help determine the pathophysiologies of germ cell abnormalities and infertility.
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13
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Wu X, Zhou L, Shi J, Cheng CY, Sun F. Multiomics analysis of male infertility. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:118-134. [PMID: 35639635 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects 8-12% of couples globally, and the male factor is a primary cause in approximately 50% of couples. Male infertility is a multifactorial reproductive disorder, which can be caused by paracrine and autocrine factors, hormones, genes, and epigenetic changes. Recent studies in rodents and most notably in humans using multiomics approach have yielded important insights into understanding the biology of spermatogenesis. Nonetheless, the etiology and pathogenesis of male infertility are still largely unknown. In this review, we summarized and critically evaluated findings based on the use of advanced technologies to compare normal and obstructive azoospermia (OA) versus non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) men, including whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq), whole exome sequencing (WES), and ATAC-seq. It is obvious that the multiomics approach is the method of choice for basic research and clinical studies including clinical diagnosis of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wu
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Liwei Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Jie Shi
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
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14
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Toujani S, Tucker EJ, Akloul L, Mary L, Pimentel C, Launay E, Freton L, Jouve G, Henry C, Odent S, Belaud-Rotureau MA, Jaillard S. Pseudodicentric Chromosome Originating from an X-Autosome Translocation in a Male Patient with Cryptozoospermia. Cytogenet Genome Res 2022; 162:124-131. [PMID: 35609520 DOI: 10.1159/000524388] [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: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic factors are responsible for 15% of male infertility conditions. Numerical and structural chromosomal anomalies are validated genetic factors leading to spermatogenic quantitative defects, with a frequency depending on the severity of the phenotype. Among the structural chromosomal rearrangements, dicentric chromosomes are generally observed in robertsonian translocations or in cases of Y chromosome isodicentrics. In X-autosome translocations, male carriers are generally infertile, regardless of the position of the breakpoint, due to interrupted spermatogenesis. We report an infertile man bearing an unusual balanced (X;22) translocation, with a centromeric X breakpoint generating a derivative pseudodicentric chromosome psu dic(22;X). Extensive cytogenetic analyses were necessary to determine the precise nature of the derivative chromosome. The likely cause of the reproductive phenotype of the patient is discussed based on meiotic chromosomal conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saloua Toujani
- Cytogenetics and Cell Biology Department, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Elena J Tucker
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Linda Akloul
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Laura Mary
- Cytogenetics and Cell Biology Department, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Céline Pimentel
- Department of Obstetric Gynecology and Human Reproduction, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Erika Launay
- Cytogenetics and Cell Biology Department, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Lucas Freton
- Department of Urology, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Guilhem Jouve
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Catherine Henry
- Cytogenetics and Cell Biology Department, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Sylvie Odent
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Marc-Antoine Belaud-Rotureau
- Cytogenetics and Cell Biology Department, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France.,Department of Reproductive Biology, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France.,Rennes 1 University, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Sylvie Jaillard
- Cytogenetics and Cell Biology Department, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France.,Rennes 1 University, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
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15
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Ali H, Unar A, Zubair M, Dil S, Ullah F, Khan I, Hussain A, Shi Q. In silico analysis of a novel pathogenic variant c.7G > A in C14orf39 gene identified by WES in a Pakistani family with azoospermia. Mol Genet Genomics 2022; 297:719-730. [PMID: 35305148 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-022-01876-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Infertility is a multifactorial disorder that affects approximately 12% of couples of childbearing ages worldwide. Few studies have been conducted to understand the genetic causes of infertility in depth. The synaptonemal complex (SC), which is essential for the progression of meiosis, is a conserved tripartite structure that binds homologous chromosomes together and is thus required for fertility. This study investigated genetic causes of infertility in a Pakistani consanguineous family containing two patients suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). We performed whole-exome sequencing, followed by Sanger sequencing, and identified a novel pathogenic variant (c.7G > A [p.D3N]) in the SC coding gene C14orf39, which was recessively co-segregated with NOA. In silico analysis revealed that charges on wild-type residues were lost, which may result in loss of interactions with other molecules and residues, and a reduction in protein stability occurred, which was caused by the p.D3N mutation. The novel variant generated the mutant protein C14ORF39D3N, and homozygous mutations in C14orf39 resulted in NOA. The transcriptome profile of C14ORF39 shows that it is specifically expressed in early brain development, which suggests that research in this area is required to study other functions of C14ORF39 in addition to its role in the germline. This research highlights the conserved role of C14orf39/SIX6OS1 in assembly of the SC and its indispensable role in facilitating genetic diagnosis in patients with infertility, which may enable the development of future treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haider Ali
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Ahsanullah Unar
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Muhammad Zubair
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Sobia Dil
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Farman Ullah
- Center of Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, 19120, Pakistan
| | - Ihsan Khan
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Ansar Hussain
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Qinghua Shi
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
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16
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El-Dahtory F, Yahia S, Rasheed RA, Wahba Y. Prevalence and patterns of chromosomal abnormalities among Egyptian patients with infertility: a single institution’s 5-year experience. MIDDLE EAST FERTILITY SOCIETY JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s43043-022-00101-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Chromosomal abnormalities represent an important cause of human infertility. Little is known about the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities among Egyptian couples with infertility. We estimated the cytogenetic profiles and semen analysis patterns among infertile couples. We analyzed data from medical archives of 2150 patients with infertility in Mansoura University Children’s Hospital, Egypt from 2015 to 2019. The data included karyotypes and semen analysis reports.
Results
Chromosomal abnormalities were reported in 13.5% of infertile patients (290/2150); 150 out of 1290 (11.62%) males and 140 out of 860 (16.28%) females. Within the infertile males, the numerical chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 134/1290 (10.38%) males, and structural abnormalities were found in 16/1290 (1.24%) males. Within the infertile females, numerical sex chromosome abnormalities were detected in 75/860 (8.72%) females, structural sex chromosome abnormalities were found in 31/860 (3.6%) females, mosaicism of the sex chromosome was found in 22/860 (2.56%) females, and male pseudohermaphrodites were detected in 12/860 (1.39%) females.
Conclusions
Numerical chromosomal aberrations are the most frequent patterns among infertile couples. Attention should be paid to the traditional chromosomal analysis as an important diagnostic step in the infertility work-up.
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Cheng H, Yang S, Meng Q, Zheng B, Gu Y, Wang L, Song T, Xu C, Wang G, Han M, Shen L, Ding J, Li H, Ouyang J. Genetic analysis and intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes of Chinese patients with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:719-728. [PMID: 35119551 PMCID: PMC8995229 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02417-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is a major cause of obstructive azoospermia and male factor infertility. CBAVD is mainly caused by mutations in the genes encoding CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) and ADGRG2 (adhesion G protein-coupled receptor G2). This study aimed to describe CFTR and ADGRG2 variations in 46 Chinese CBAVD patients and evaluated sperm retrieval and assisted reproductive technology outcomes. METHODS The CFTR and ADGRG2 genes were sequenced and analyzed by whole-exome sequencing (WES), and variations were identified by Sanger sequencing. Bioinformatic analysis was performed. We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of patients undergoing sperm retrieval surgery and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). RESULTS In total, 35 of 46 (76.09%) patients carried at least one variation in CFTR, but no copy number variants or ADGRG2 variations were found. In addition to the IVS9-5 T allele, there were 27 CFTR variations, of which 4 variations were novel and predicted to be damaging by bioinformatics. Spermatozoa were successfully retrachieved in 46 patients, and 39 of the patients had their own offspring through ICSI. CONCLUSION There are no obvious hotspot CFTR mutations in Chinese CBAVD patients besides the IVS9-5 T allele. Therefore, WES might be the best detection method, and genetic counseling should be different from that provided to Caucasian populations. After proper counseling, all patients can undergo sperm retrieval from their epididymis or testis, and most of them can have their own children through ICSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Cheng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000 Jiangsu China ,Center for Reproduction and Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shenmin Yang
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qingxia Meng
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Bo Zheng
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yidong Gu
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Luyun Wang
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Tao Song
- Department of Andrology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu China
| | - Chunlu Xu
- Department of Andrology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu China
| | - Gaigai Wang
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Mutian Han
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Liyan Shen
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jie Ding
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hong Li
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Jun Ouyang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, Jiangsu, China.
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Mikec Š, Kolenc Ž, Peterlin B, Horvat S, Pogorevc N, Kunej T. Syndromic male subfertility: a network view of genome-phenome associations. Andrology 2022; 10:720-732. [PMID: 35218153 PMCID: PMC9314622 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Male infertility is a disorder of the reproductive system with a highly complex genetic landscape. In most cases, the reason for male infertility remains unknown; however, the importance of genetic abnormalities in the diagnosis of subfertility/infertility is becoming increasingly recognized. Several syndromes include impaired male fertility in the clinical picture, although a comprehensive analysis of genetic causes of the syndromology perspective of male reproduction is not yet available. Objectives (1) To develop a catalog of syndromes and corresponding genes associated with impaired male fertility and (2) to visualize an up‐to‐date genome–phenome network of syndromic male subfertility. Materials and methods Published literature was retrieved from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, Orphanet, Human Phenotype Ontology and PubMed databases using keywords “male infertility,” “syndrome,” “gene,” and “case report”; time period from 1980 to September, 2021. Retrieved data were organized as a catalog and complemented with identification numbers of syndromes (MIM ID) and genes (Gene ID). The genome–phenome network and the phenome network were visualized using Cytoscape and Gephi software platforms. Protein–protein interaction analysis was performed using STRING tool. Results Retrieved syndromes were presented as (1) a catalog containing 63 syndromes and 93 associated genes, (2) a genome–phenome network including CHD7 and WT1 genes and Noonan and Kartagener syndromes, and (3) a phenome network including 63 syndromes, and 25 categories of clinical features. Discussion The developed catalog will contribute to the advances and translational impact toward understanding the factors of syndromic male infertility. Visualized networks provide simple, flexible tools for clinicians and researchers to quickly generate hypotheses and gain a deeper understanding of underlying mechanisms affecting male reproduction. Conclusion Recognition of the significance of genome–phenome visualization as part of network medicine can help expedite efforts toward unravelling molecular mechanisms and enable advances personal/precision medicine of male reproduction and other complex traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Špela Mikec
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Animal Science, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Živa Kolenc
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Animal Science, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Borut Peterlin
- University Medical Center Ljubljana, Clinical Institute of Medical Genetics, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simon Horvat
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Animal Science, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Neža Pogorevc
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Animal Science, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Kunej
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Animal Science, Domžale, Slovenia
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19
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Riccetto L, Vieira TP, Viguetti-Campos NL, Mazzola TN, Guaragna MS, Fabbri-Scallet H, de Mello MP, Marques-de-Faria AP, Maciel-Guerra AT, Guerra G. Clinical and laboratory differences between chromosomal and undefined causes of non-obstructive azoospermia: A retrospective study. SAO PAULO MED J 2022; 141:e2022281. [PMID: 36449967 PMCID: PMC10065101 DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2022.0281.r1.30082022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge of clinical and laboratory differences between chromosomal and undefined causes aids etiological research on non-obstructive azoospermia. OBJECTIVE Compare clinical and laboratory differences between men with non-obstructive azoospermia due to chromosomal anomalies versus undefined causes. DESIGN AND SETTING A cross-sectional retrospective study conducted at a public university hospital in Campinas (Brazil). METHODS All men aged 20-40 years with non-obstructive azoospermia were included in the analysis. RESULTS The 107 cases included 14 with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) (13%), 1 with mosaic KS, 4 with sex development disorders (2 testicular XX, 1 NR5A1 gene mutation, and 1 mild androgen insensitivity syndrome) (4%), 9 with other non-obstructive azoospermia etiologies (8%), and 79 with undefined causes. The 22 chromosomal anomaly cases (14 KS, 1 mosaic KS, 2 testicular XX, 4 sex chromosome anomalies, and 1 autosomal anomaly) were compared with the 79 undefined cause cases. The KS group had lower average testicular volume, shorter penile length, and lower total testosterone levels but greater height, arm span, serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and gynecomastia frequency (absent in the undefined group and affecting more than half of the KS group). Patients with testicular XX DSD had LH, FSH, and penile length data intermediate between the KS and undefined cause groups, testicular volume similar to the KS group, and other data similar to the undefined group. CONCLUSION Clinical and laboratory data differentiate men with non-obstructive azoospermia and chromosomal anomalies, particularly KS and testicular XX, from those with undefined causes or other chromosomal anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luísa Riccetto
- Undergraduate Medicine Student, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUCCAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil; and Member, Grupo Interdisciplinar de Estudos da Determinação e Diferenciação do Sexo (GIEDDS), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Tarsis Paiva Vieira
- PhD. Professor, Department of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Nilma Lucia Viguetti-Campos
- PhD. Laboratory Worker, Department of Medical Genetics Genomics, School of Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Cytogenetics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Tais Nitsch Mazzola
- PhD. Laboratory Worker, Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Center of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Mara Sanches Guaragna
- PhD. Researcher, Laboratory Worker, Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Center of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Helena Fabbri-Scallet
- PhD Researcher, Laboratory Worker, Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Center of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Maricilda Palandi de Mello
- PhD. Professor, Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Center of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Antonia Paula Marques-de-Faria
- PhD. Professor, Department of Medical Genetics and Genomics Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP); and Member, Grupo Interdisciplinar de Estudos da Determinação e Diferenciação do Sexo (GIEDDS), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Andrea Trevas Maciel-Guerra
- PhD. Professor, Department of Medical Genetics and Genomics Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP); and Member, Grupo Interdisciplinar de Estudos da Determinação e Diferenciação do Sexo (GIEDDS) Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Gil Guerra
- PhD. Professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medical Sciences Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP); and Member, Grupo Interdisciplinar de Estudos da Determinação e Diferenciação do Sexo (GIEDDS), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
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20
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Krausz C, Cioppi F. Genetic Factors of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: Consequences on Patients' and Offspring Health. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10174009. [PMID: 34501457 PMCID: PMC8432470 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10174009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-Obstructive Azoospermia (NOA) affects about 1% of men in the general population and is characterized by clinical heterogeneity implying the involvement of several different acquired and genetic factors. NOA men are at higher risk to be carriers of known genetic anomalies such as karyotype abnormalities and Y-chromosome microdeletions in respect to oligo-normozoospermic men. In recent years, a growing number of novel monogenic causes have been identified through Whole Exome Sequencing (WES). Genetic testing is useful for diagnostic and pre-TESE prognostic purposes as well as for its potential relevance for general health. Several epidemiological observations show a link between azoospermia and higher morbidity and mortality rate, suggesting a common etiology for NOA and some chronic diseases, including cancer. Since on average 50% of NOA patients has a positive TESE outcome, the identification of genetic factors in NOA patients has relevance also to the offspring's health. Although still debated, the observed increased risk of certain neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as impaired cardiometabolic and reproductive health profile in children conceived with ICSI from NOA fathers may indicate the involvement of transmissible genetic factors. This review provides an update on the reproductive and general health consequences of known genetic factors causing NOA, including offspring's health.
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21
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Ignatieva EV, Osadchuk AV, Kleshchev MA, Bogomolov AG, Osadchuk LV. A Catalog of Human Genes Associated With Pathozoospermia and Functional Characteristics of These Genes. Front Genet 2021; 12:662770. [PMID: 34290736 PMCID: PMC8287579 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.662770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic causes of the global decline in male fertility are among the hot spots of scientific research in reproductive genetics. The most common way to evaluate male fertility in clinical trials is to determine semen quality. Lower semen quality is very often accompanied by subfertility or infertility, occurs in many diseases and can be caused by many factors, including genetic ones. The following forms of lowered semen quality (pathozoospermia) are known: azoospermia, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia, and some combined forms. To systematize information about the genetic basis of impaired spermatogenesis, we created a catalog of human genes associated with lowered semen quality (HGAPat) and analyzed their functional characteristics. The catalog comprises data on 126 human genes. Each entry of the catalog describes an association between an allelic variant of the gene and a particular form of lowered semen quality, extracted from the experimental study. Most genes included into the catalog are located on autosomes and are associated with such pathologies as non-obstructive azoospermia, oligozoospermia or asthenozoospermia. Slightly less than half of the included genes (43%) are expressed in the testes in a tissue-specific manner. Functional annotation of genes from the catalog showed that spermatogenic failure can be associated with mutations in genes that control biological processes essential for spermiogenesis (regulating DNA metabolism, cell division, formation of cellular structures, which provide cell movement) as well as with mutations in genes that control cellular responses to unfavorable conditions (stress factors, including oxidative stress and exposure to toxins).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V Ignatieva
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.,Department of Natural Science, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alexander V Osadchuk
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Maxim A Kleshchev
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Anton G Bogomolov
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Ludmila V Osadchuk
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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22
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Altered Biology of Testicular VSELs and SSCs by Neonatal Endocrine Disruption Results in Defective Spermatogenesis, Reduced Fertility and Tumor Initiation in Adult Mice. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 16:893-908. [PMID: 32592162 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-020-09996-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive health of men has declined in recent past with reduced sperm count and increased incidence of infertility and testicular cancers mainly attributed to endocrine disruption in early life. Present study aims to evaluate whether testicular stem cells including very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) get affected by endocrine disruption and result in pathologies in adult life. Effect of treatment on mice pups with estradiol (20 μg on days 5-7) and diethylstilbestrol (DES, 2 μg on days 1-5) was studied on VSELs, SSCs and spermatogonial cells in adult life. Treatment affected spermatogenesis, tubules in Stage VIII & sperm count were reduced along with reduction of meiotic (4n) cells and markers (Prohibitin, Scp3, Protamine). Enumeration of VSELs by flow cytometry (2-6 μm, 7AAD-, LIN-CD45-SCA-1+) and qRT-PCR using specific transcripts for VSELs (Oct-4a, Sox-2, Nanog, Stella, Fragilis), SSCs (tOct-4, Gfra-1, Gpr-125) and early germ cells (Mvh, Dazl) showed several-fold increase but transition from c-Kit negative to c-Kit positive spermatogonial cells was blocked on D100 after treatment. Transcripts specific for apoptosis (Bcl2, Bax) remained unaffected but tumor suppressor (p53) and epigenetic regulator (NP95) transcripts showed marked disruption. 9 of 10 mice exposed to DES showed tumor-like changes. To conclude, endocrine disruption resulted in a tilt towards excessive self-renewal of VSELs (leading to testicular cancer after DES treatment) and blocked differentiation (reduced numbers of c-Kit positive cells, meiosis, sperm count and fertility). Understanding the underlying basis for infertility and cancer initiation from endogenous stem cells through murine modelling will hopefully improve human therapies in future.
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23
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Unraveling the Balance between Genes, Microbes, Lifestyle and the Environment to Improve Healthy Reproduction. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040605. [PMID: 33924000 PMCID: PMC8073673 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans’ health is the result of a complex and balanced interplay between genetic factors, environmental stimuli, lifestyle habits, and the microbiota composition. The knowledge about their single contributions, as well as the complex network linking each to the others, is pivotal to understand the mechanisms underlying the onset of many diseases and can provide key information for their prevention, diagnosis and therapy. This applies also to reproduction. Reproduction, involving almost 10% of our genetic code, is one of the most critical human’s functions and is a key element to assess the well-being of a population. The last decades revealed a progressive decline of reproductive outcomes worldwide. As a consequence, there is a growing interest in unveiling the role of the different factors involved in human reproduction and great efforts have been carried out to improve its outcomes. As for many other diseases, it is now clear that the interplay between the underlying genetics, our commensal microbiome, the lifestyle habits and the environment we live in can either exacerbate the outcome or mitigate the adverse effects. Here, we aim to analyze how each of these factors contribute to reproduction highlighting their individual contribution and providing supporting evidence of how to modify their impact and overall contribution to a healthy reproductive status.
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24
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Deng C, Cheung SW, Liu H. Noninvasive prenatal screening for fetal sex chromosome aneuploidies. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2021; 21:405-415. [PMID: 33787433 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2021.1911651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) are among the most common chromosome abnormalities observed in humans. Manifestations include low fertility, infertility, delayed language development, and dysfunction in motor development. Noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) based on cell-free fetal DNA from the peripheral blood of pregnant women is increasingly used for the screening of fetal chromosome abnormalities, including screening for fetal gender and fetal sex chromosome aneuploidy. A systematic review of the literature about NIPS for SCAs is needed. AREAS COVERED This review evaluated a vast array of published studies focusing on the clinical significance, detection methods, performance of NIPS for SCAs, and the management of positive SCA results following screening with the aim of facilitating a comprehensive and systematic understanding of NIPS for SCAs. EXPERT COMMENTARY Looking forward, NIPS is expected to become the primary screening test for common aneuploidies as well as other chromosome abnormalities, including some micro-deletions and micro-duplications, with the potential to transition from a screening test to a prenatal diagnosis method. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a safe and accurate method for increasing early diagnosis to improve long-term outcomes for the SCA patients and families by well- informed health care providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cechuan Deng
- Medical Genetics Department/Prenatal Diagnostic Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Sau Wai Cheung
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hongqian Liu
- Medical Genetics Department/Prenatal Diagnostic Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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25
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Genetics of Azoospermia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063264. [PMID: 33806855 PMCID: PMC8004677 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Azoospermia affects 1% of men, and it can be due to: (i) hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, (ii) primary quantitative spermatogenic disturbances, (iii) urogenital duct obstruction. Known genetic factors contribute to all these categories, and genetic testing is part of the routine diagnostic workup of azoospermic men. The diagnostic yield of genetic tests in azoospermia is different in the different etiological categories, with the highest in Congenital Bilateral Absence of Vas Deferens (90%) and the lowest in Non-Obstructive Azoospermia (NOA) due to primary testicular failure (~30%). Whole-Exome Sequencing allowed the discovery of an increasing number of monogenic defects of NOA with a current list of 38 candidate genes. These genes are of potential clinical relevance for future gene panel-based screening. We classified these genes according to the associated-testicular histology underlying the NOA phenotype. The validation and the discovery of novel NOA genes will radically improve patient management. Interestingly, approximately 37% of candidate genes are shared in human male and female gonadal failure, implying that genetic counselling should be extended also to female family members of NOA patients.
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26
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Cai Z, Niu Y, Li H. RNA N6-methyladenosine modification, spermatogenesis, and human male infertility. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:6179814. [PMID: 33749751 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is one of the main forms of posttranscriptional modification, and its dysregulation is involved in a series of pathological processes. RNA m6A regulators, which mediate dynamic RNA m6A modification, are expressed in almost all types of testicular cells, including spermatogenetic cells and somatic cells. Cumulative studies have found that knockout of RNA m6A regulators in the testis leads to abnormal metabolism of the target mRNAs, which eventually causes spermatogenetic disorders and infertility. To date, a role for dysregulated RNA m6A modification in human male infertility remains elusive; however, dysregulated expression of RNA m6A regulators in abnormal human semen samples, including oligospermia, asthenozoospermia and azoospermia, has been found. Therefore, we speculate that abnormal RNA m6A methylation may be an important mechanism of male infertility. In this review, we summarize the recent findings regarding the spatiotemporal expression of RNA m6A regulators in the testes, mechanisms of RNA m6A modification in spermatogenesis and the relation between dysregulated RNA m6A regulators and human male infertility. In addition, we also discuss future directions in studying the molecular mechanism of male infertility and exploring their clinical applications from the viewpoint of RNA m6A modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonglin Cai
- Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yamei Niu
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Science, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hongjun Li
- Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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27
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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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Zhou Z, Mao X, Chen B, Mu J, Wang W, Li B, Yan Z, Dong J, Li Q, Kuang Y, Wang L, Wu L, Sang Q. A novel splicing variant in DNAH8 causes asthenozoospermia. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:1545-1550. [PMID: 33611675 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02116-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify the genetic factors responsible for asthenozoospermia, which is a major cause of male infertility characterized by immotile and malformed spermatozoa. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing was performed in two brothers from a family with asthenozoospermia to identify pathogenic variants. The functional effect of the identified variant was investigated in HEK293T cells using a minigene assay. RESULTS We identified a novel homozygous splicing variant c.6311-2A>G in DNAH8 from two affected brothers belonging to the same consanguineous family. The splicing variant altered a consensus splice acceptor site of DNAH8 intron 44, which led to the deletion of exon 45 and resulted in a frameshift and a predicted truncated protein (p.G2104Efs*19). Although most spermatozoa from the patients presented with reduced sperm motility, intracytoplasmic sperm injection was able to overcome the inability of the spermatozoa to reach the ovum and thus produce a healthy child for the proband. CONCLUSIONS This finding expands the mutational spectrum of DNAH8, making it a potential genetic diagnostic marker for those suffering from primary male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Zhou
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, the Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, and the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaoyan Mao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ninth Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Biaobang Chen
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jian Mu
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, the Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, and the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, the Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, and the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bin Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ninth Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Zheng Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ninth Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Jie Dong
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, the Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, and the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qiaoli Li
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, the Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, and the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yanping Kuang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ninth Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, the Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, and the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Center for Women and Children's Health, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Ling Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ninth Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Qing Sang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, the Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, and the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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29
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Wang L, Lin W, Li X, Zhang L, Wang K, Cui X, Tang S, Fang G, Tan Y, Wang X, Chen C, Yang C, Tang H. A case report of congenital idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism caused by novel mutation of GNRHR gene. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e24007. [PMID: 33592857 PMCID: PMC7870162 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000024007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE This study aimed to investigate the genetic mutation characteristics of congenital idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) through the clinical features and genetic analysis of 2 patients with IHH in 1 pedigree. PATIENT CONCERNS A 23-year-old girl presented with primary amenorrhea, sparse pubic hair, lack of breast development, and delayed sexual development. DIAGNOSES Combined with the clinical characteristics, auxiliary examinations, and molecular genetic analysis, the patient was diagnosed as IHH. INTERVENTIONS Whole exome and Sanger sequencing were performed to validate the mutation in family members. OUTCOMES A novel homozygous missense mutation c.521A > G (p.Q174R) in the GNRHR gene was identified in the 2 affected sisters. Familial segregation showed that the homozygous variant was inherited from their parents respectively and the eldest sister was the carrier without correlative symptom. LESSONS We reported a novel GNRHR mutation in a pedigree with congenital idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Glutamine at amino acid position 174 was highly conserved among various species. The molecular structure of GNRHR protein showed that p.Q174R mutation brought in a new stable hydrogen bond between position 174 and 215, may impede conformational mobility of the TMD4 and TMD5. It suggests that the missense mutation c.521A > G related to congenital idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism was probably a causative factor for both sisters. Through high-throughput sequencing and experimental verification, we had basically determined the patient's pathogenic mutation and inheritance, which could better guide doctors for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Wang
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gynecological Diagnostic Technology Research
| | | | - Xiaohong Li
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gynecological Diagnostic Technology Research
| | | | - Kai Wang
- CheerLand Precision Biomed Co., Ltd
| | | | | | - Guangguang Fang
- Shenzhen Dapeng New District Maternity & Child Health Hospital Department of Gynecology
- Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Tan
- Shenzhen Dapeng New District Maternity & Child Health Hospital Department of Gynecology
- Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuelai Wang
- Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Science, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | | | - Huiru Tang
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gynecological Diagnostic Technology Research
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30
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Fan S, Jiao Y, Khan R, Jiang X, Javed AR, Ali A, Zhang H, Zhou J, Naeem M, Murtaza G, Li Y, Yang G, Zaman Q, Zubair M, Guan H, Zhang X, Ma H, Jiang H, Ali H, Dil S, Shah W, Ahmad N, Zhang Y, Shi Q. Homozygous mutations in C14orf39/SIX6OS1 cause non-obstructive azoospermia and premature ovarian insufficiency in humans. Am J Hum Genet 2021; 108:324-336. [PMID: 33508233 PMCID: PMC7895996 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human infertility is a multifactorial disease that affects 8%-12% of reproductive-aged couples worldwide. However, the genetic causes of human infertility are still poorly understood. Synaptonemal complex (SC) is a conserved tripartite structure that holds homologous chromosomes together and plays an indispensable role in the meiotic progression. Here, we identified three homozygous mutations in the SC coding gene C14orf39/SIX6OS1 in infertile individuals from different ethnic populations by whole-exome sequencing (WES). These mutations include a frameshift mutation (c.204_205del [p.His68Glnfs∗2]) from a consanguineous Pakistani family with two males suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and one female diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) as well as a nonsense mutation (c.958G>T [p.Glu320∗]) and a splicing mutation (c.1180-3C>G) in two unrelated Chinese men (individual P3907 and individual P6032, respectively) with meiotic arrest. Mutations in C14orf39 resulted in truncated proteins that retained SYCE1 binding but exhibited impaired polycomplex formation between C14ORF39 and SYCE1. Further cytological analyses of meiosis in germ cells revealed that the affected familial males with the C14orf39 frameshift mutation displayed complete asynapsis between homologous chromosomes, while the affected Chinese men carrying the nonsense or splicing mutation showed incomplete synapsis. The phenotypes of NOA and POI in affected individuals were well recapitulated by Six6os1 mutant mice carrying an analogous mutation. Collectively, our findings in humans and mice highlight the conserved role of C14ORF39/SIX6OS1 in SC assembly and indicate that the homozygous mutations in C14orf39/SIX6OS1 described here are responsible for infertility of these affected individuals, thus expanding our understanding of the genetic basis of human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suixing Fan
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Yuying Jiao
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Ranjha Khan
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Abdul Rafay Javed
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Asim Ali
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Jianteng Zhou
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Muhammad Naeem
- Medical Genetics Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Murtaza
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Yang Li
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Gang Yang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Qumar Zaman
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Muhammad Zubair
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Haiyang Guan
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Xingxia Zhang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Hui Ma
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Hanwei Jiang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Haider Ali
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Sobia Dil
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Wasim Shah
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Niaz Ahmad
- Shahbaz Sharif District Hospital, Multan 60800, Pakistan
| | - Yuanwei Zhang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China.
| | - Qinghua Shi
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China.
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Capalbo A, Poli M, Riera-Escamilla A, Shukla V, Kudo Høffding M, Krausz C, Hoffmann ER, Simon C. Preconception genome medicine: current state and future perspectives to improve infertility diagnosis and reproductive and health outcomes based on individual genomic data. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 27:254-279. [PMID: 33197264 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our genetic code is now readable, writable and hackable. The recent escalation of genome-wide sequencing (GS) applications in population diagnostics will not only enable the assessment of risks of transmitting well-defined monogenic disorders at preconceptional stages (i.e. carrier screening), but also facilitate identification of multifactorial genetic predispositions to sub-lethal pathologies, including those affecting reproductive fitness. Through GS, the acquisition and curation of reproductive-related findings will warrant the expansion of genetic assessment to new areas of genomic prediction of reproductive phenotypes, pharmacogenomics and molecular embryology, further boosting our knowledge and therapeutic tools for treating infertility and improving women's health. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE In this article, we review current knowledge and potential development of preconception genome analysis aimed at detecting reproductive and individual health risks (recessive genetic disease and medically actionable secondary findings) as well as anticipating specific reproductive outcomes, particularly in the context of IVF. The extension of reproductive genetic risk assessment to the general population and IVF couples will lead to the identification of couples who carry recessive mutations, as well as sub-lethal conditions prior to conception. This approach will provide increased reproductive autonomy to couples, particularly in those cases where preimplantation genetic testing is an available option to avoid the transmission of undesirable conditions. In addition, GS on prospective infertility patients will enable genome-wide association studies specific for infertility phenotypes such as predisposition to premature ovarian failure, increased risk of aneuploidies, complete oocyte immaturity or blastocyst development failure, thus empowering the development of true reproductive precision medicine. SEARCH METHODS Searches of the literature on PubMed Central included combinations of the following MeSH terms: human, genetics, genomics, variants, male, female, fertility, next generation sequencing, genome exome sequencing, expanded carrier screening, secondary findings, pharmacogenomics, controlled ovarian stimulation, preconception, genetics, genome-wide association studies, GWAS. OUTCOMES Through PubMed Central queries, we identified a total of 1409 articles. The full list of articles was assessed for date of publication, limiting the search to studies published within the last 15 years (2004 onwards due to escalating research output of next-generation sequencing studies from that date). The remaining articles' titles were assessed for pertinence to the topic, leaving a total of 644 articles. The use of preconception GS has the potential to identify inheritable genetic conditions concealed in the genome of around 4% of couples looking to conceive. Genomic information during reproductive age will also be useful to anticipate late-onset medically actionable conditions with strong genetic background in around 2-4% of all individuals. Genetic variants correlated with differential response to pharmaceutical treatment in IVF, and clear genotype-phenotype associations are found for aberrant sperm types, oocyte maturation, fertilization or pre- and post-implantation embryonic development. All currently known capabilities of GS at the preconception stage are reviewed along with persisting and forthcoming barriers for the implementation of precise reproductive medicine. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The expansion of sequencing analysis to additional monogenic and polygenic traits may enable the development of cost-effective preconception tests capable of identifying underlying genetic causes of infertility, which have been defined as 'unexplained' until now, thus leading to the development of a true personalized genomic medicine framework in reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Capalbo
- Igenomix Italy, Marostica, Italy.,Igenomix Foundation, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Antoni Riera-Escamilla
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vallari Shukla
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, DRNF Center for Chromosome Stability, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Miya Kudo Høffding
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, DRNF Center for Chromosome Stability, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - 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
| | - Eva R Hoffmann
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, DRNF Center for Chromosome Stability, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carlos Simon
- Igenomix Foundation, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology BIDMC, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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32
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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 CentreYokohama City University Medical CentreKanagawaJapan
- Department of Medical GeneticsYokohama City University Medical CentreKanagawaJapan
| | - Kimitsugu Usui
- Department of Urology, Reproductive CentreYokohama City University Medical CentreKanagawaJapan
| | - Hiroyuki Sanjo
- Department of Urology, Reproductive CentreYokohama City University Medical CentreKanagawaJapan
| | - Teppei Takeshima
- Department of Urology, Reproductive CentreYokohama City University Medical CentreKanagawaJapan
| | - Takashi Kawahara
- Department of Urology and Renal TransplantationYokohama City University Medical CentreKanagawaJapan
| | - Hiroji Uemura
- Department of Urology and Renal TransplantationYokohama City University Medical CentreKanagawaJapan
| | - Yasushi Yumura
- Department of Urology, Reproductive CentreYokohama City University Medical CentreKanagawaJapan
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Pozzi E, Boeri L, Capogrosso P, Palmisano F, Preto M, Sibona M, Franceschelli A, Ruiz-Castañé E, Sarquella-Geli J, Bassas-Arnau L, Scroppo FI, Gentile G, Falcone M, Timpano M, Ceruti C, Gadda F, Colombo F, Rolle L, Gontero P, Montorsi F, Sánchez-Curbelo J, Montanari E, Salonia A. Rates of hypogonadism forms in Klinefelter patients undergoing testicular sperm extraction: A multicenter cross-sectional study. Andrology 2020; 8:1705-1711. [PMID: 32558292 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Adult patients with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) may present with testicular volume loss and a decrease in circulating testosterone (T) levels. However, the actual rate of hypogonadism in adult KS men is unknown. We aimed to (a) assess the prevalence of different forms of hypogonadism in a cohort of KS patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA); and (b) investigate potential preoperative predictor of positive sperm retrieval (SR) at surgery in the same cohort of men. METHODS Complete data from 103 KS men with NOA who underwent testicular sperm extraction (TESE) between 2008 and 2019 at five centers were analyzed. Comorbidities were scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Patients were categorized into four groups of hypogonadism as follows: eugonadism [normal total T (tT) (≥3.03 ng/mL) and normal luteinizing hormone (LH) (≤9.4 mUI/mL)], secondary hypogonadism [low tT (≤3.03 ng/mL) and low/normal LH (≤9.4 mUI/mL)], primary hypogonadism [low tT (≤3.03 ng/mL) and elevated LH (≥9.4 mUI/mL)], and compensated hypogonadism [normal tT (≥3.03 ng/mL) and elevated LH (≥9.4 mUI/mL)]. Descriptive statistics tested the association between clinical characteristics and laboratory values among the four groups. RESULTS Median (IQR) patients age was 32 (24, 37) years. Baseline follicle-stimulating hormone and tT levels were 29.5 (19.9, 40.9) mUI/mL and 3.8 (2.5, 11.0) ng/mL, respectively. Eugonadism, primary hypogonadism, and compensated hypogonadism were found in 16 (15.6%), 34 (33.0%), and 53 (51.4%) men, respectively. No patients had secondary hypogonadism. Positive SR rate at TESE was 21.4% (22 patients); of 22, 15 (68.2%) patients underwent assisted reproductive technology and five (22.7%) ended in live birth children. Patients' age, BMI, CCI, FSH levels, and positive SR rates were comparable among hypogonadism groups. No preoperative parameters were associated with positive SR at logistic regressions analysis. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this cross-sectional study showed that 15.6% of adult KS men have normal tT values at presentation in the real-life setting. Most KS patients presented with either compensated or primary hypogonadism. Sperm retrieval rates were not associated with different forms of hypogonadism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Pozzi
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI; RCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Boeri
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI; RCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.,Department of Urology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Capogrosso
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI; RCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.,Department of Urology and Andrology, Ospedale di Circolo and Macchi Foundation, Varese, Italy
| | - Franco Palmisano
- Department of Urology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirko Preto
- Division of Urology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino - Presidio Molinette, Turin, Italy
| | - Mattia Sibona
- Division of Urology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino - Presidio Molinette, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Eduard Ruiz-Castañé
- Fundació Puigvert, Department of Andrology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Sarquella-Geli
- Fundació Puigvert, Department of Andrology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluís Bassas-Arnau
- Fundació Puigvert, Department of Andrology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fabrizio I Scroppo
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Ospedale di Circolo and Macchi Foundation, Varese, Italy
| | - Giorgio Gentile
- Andrology Unit, University Hospital S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Falcone
- Division of Urology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino - Presidio Molinette, Turin, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Timpano
- Division of Urology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino - Presidio Molinette, Turin, Italy
| | - Carlo Ceruti
- Division of Urology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino - Presidio Molinette, Turin, Italy
| | - Franco Gadda
- Department of Urology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Fulvio Colombo
- Andrology Unit, University Hospital S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luigi Rolle
- Division of Urology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino - Presidio Molinette, Turin, Italy
| | - Paolo Gontero
- Division of Urology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino - Presidio Molinette, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Montorsi
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI; RCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.,University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Josvany Sánchez-Curbelo
- Fundació Puigvert, Department of Andrology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emanuele Montanari
- Department of Urology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Salonia
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI; RCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.,University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Turner KA, Rambhatla A, Schon S, Agarwal A, Krawetz SA, Dupree JM, Avidor-Reiss T. Male Infertility is a Women's Health Issue-Research and Clinical Evaluation of Male Infertility Is Needed. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040990. [PMID: 32316195 PMCID: PMC7226946 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a devastating experience for both partners as they try to conceive. Historically, when a couple could not conceive, the woman has carried the stigma of infertility; however, men and women are just as likely to contribute to the couple’s infertility. With the development of assisted reproductive technology (ART), the treatment burden for male and unexplained infertility has fallen mainly on women. Equalizing this burden requires reviving research on male infertility to both improve treatment options and enable natural conception. Despite many scientific efforts, infertility in men due to sperm dysfunction is mainly diagnosed by a semen analysis. The semen analysis is limited as it only examines general sperm properties such as concentration, motility, and morphology. A diagnosis of male infertility rarely includes an assessment of internal sperm components such as DNA, which is well documented to have an impact on infertility, or other components such as RNA and centrioles, which are beginning to be adopted. Assessment of these components is not typically included in current diagnostic testing because available treatments are limited. Recent research has expanded our understanding of sperm biology and suggests that these components may also contribute to the failure to achieve pregnancy. Understanding the sperm’s internal components, and how they contribute to male infertility, would provide avenues for new therapies that are based on treating men directly for male infertility, which may enable less invasive treatments and even natural conception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina A. Turner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA;
| | - Amarnath Rambhatla
- Department of Urology, Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, USA;
| | - Samantha Schon
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, L4000 UH-South, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
| | - Stephen A. Krawetz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA;
| | - James M. Dupree
- Department of Urology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48019, USA;
| | - Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA;
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
- Correspondence:
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Wang H, An M, Liu Y, Hu K, Jin Y, Xu S, Chen B, Lu M. Genetic diagnosis and sperm retrieval outcomes for Chinese patients with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens. Andrology 2020; 8:1064-1069. [PMID: 32020786 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is a frequent cause of obstructive azoospermia. CBAVD is mainly caused by mutations in the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) gene and is also related to the X-linked ADGRG2 (adhesion G protein-coupled receptor G2) gene. Genetic screening and counseling strategies for Chinese CBAVD populations remain controversial because the genetic background of CBAVD in Chinese population is largely unknown. OBJECTIVES In this study, we aimed to study the mutation spectrum of CFTR and ADGRG2 in a group of CBAVD patients and to evaluate sperm retrieval outcomes in a subset of CBAVD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Next-generation targeted sequencing was used to identify mutations in the CFTR and ADGRG2 genes in 38 CBAVD patients. In addition, we followed and analyzed nine of the 38 patients who were undergoing sperm retrieval surgery. RESULTS In total, 27 of 38 (71.05%) patients carried at least one likely pathogenic or pathogenic mutation in CFTR or ADGRG2. In addition to the IVS9-5T allele, 15 CFTR and 1 ADGRG2 mutations were identified, including 4 novel mutations. CFTR hot-spot mutations were not identified in our study. Spermatozoon was successfully obtained in all nine patients who underwent MESA or TESE surgery, but most patients had spermatozoa with relatively low motility and high abnormality rates. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Except for the IVS9-5T allele, hot-spot mutations of CFTR may not exist in Chinese CBAVD patients. Therefore, next-generation targeted sequencing for whole CFTR and ADGRG2 gene may be the appropriate genetic testing method, and genetic counseling may be different from Caucasian populations. We observed a high success rate of sperm retrieval with relatively low motility and high abnormality rates in Chinese CBAVD patients. However, this is only a weak conclusion due to the small sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxiang Wang
- Department of Urology and Andrology, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Miao An
- CarrierGene Biotechnologies Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Yidong Liu
- Department of Urology and Andrology, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Hu
- Department of Urology and Andrology, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Urology and Andrology, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiran Xu
- Department of Urology and Andrology, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Urology and Andrology, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mujun Lu
- Department of Urology and Andrology, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Vockel M, Riera-Escamilla A, Tüttelmann F, Krausz C. The X chromosome and male infertility. Hum Genet 2019; 140:203-215. [PMID: 31875237 PMCID: PMC7864851 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-019-02101-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The X chromosome is a key player in germ cell development, as has been highlighted for males in previous studies revealing that the mammalian X chromosome is enriched in genes expressed in early spermatogenesis. In this review, we focus on the X chromosome’s unique biology as associated with human male infertility. Male infertility is most commonly caused by spermatogenic defects to which X chromosome dosage is closely linked; for example, any supernumerary X chromosome as in Klinefelter syndrome will lead to male infertility. Furthermore, because males normally only have a single X chromosome and because X-linked genetic anomalies are generally only present in a single copy in males, any loss-of-function mutations in single-copy X-chromosomal genes cannot be compensated by a normal allele. These features make X-linked genes particularly attractive for studying male spermatogenic failure. However, to date, only very few genetic causes have been identified as being definitively responsible for male infertility in humans. Although genetic studies of germ cell-enriched X-chromosomal genes in mice suggest a role of certain human orthologs in infertile men, these genes in mice and humans have striking evolutionary differences. Furthermore, the complexity and highly repetitive structure of the X chromosome hinder the mutational analysis of X-linked genes in humans. Therefore, we conclude that additional methodological approaches are urgently warranted to advance our understanding of the genetics of X-linked male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Vockel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Antoni Riera-Escamilla
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB- Sant Pau), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB- Sant Pau), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. .,Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Viale PIeraccini, 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
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The current status and future of andrology: A consensus report from the Cairo workshop group. Andrology 2019; 8:27-52. [PMID: 31692249 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In attempting to formulate potential WHO guidelines for the diagnosis of male infertility, the Evidence Synthesis Group noted a paucity of high-quality data on which to base key recommendations. As a result, a number of authors suggested that key areas of research/evidence gaps should be identified, so that appropriate funding and policy actions could be undertaken to help address key questions. OBJECTIVES The overall objective of this Consensus workshop was to clarify current knowledge and deficits in clinical laboratory andrology, so that clear paths for future development could be navigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Following a detailed literature review, each author, prior to the face-to-face meeting, prepared a summary of their topic and submitted a PowerPoint presentation. The topics covered were (a) Diagnostic testing in male fertility and infertility, (b) Male fertility/infertility in the modern world, (c) Clinical management of male infertility, and (d) The overuse of ICSI. At the meeting in Cairo on February 18, 2019, the evidence was presented and discussed and a series of consensus points agreed. RESULTS The paper presents a background and summary of the evidence relating to these four topics and addresses key points of significance. Following discussion of the evidence, a total of 36 consensus points were agreed. DISCUSSION The Discussion section presents areas where there was further debate and key areas that were highlighted during the day. CONCLUSION The consensus points provide clear statements of evidence gaps and/or potential future research areas/topics. Appropriate funding streams addressing these can be prioritized and consequently, in the short and medium term, answers provided. By using this strategic approach, andrology can make the rapid progress necessary to address key scientific, clinical, and societal challenges that face our discipline now and in the near future.
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Gauthier-Fisher A, Kauffman A, Librach CL. Potential use of stem cells for fertility preservation. Andrology 2019; 8:862-878. [PMID: 31560823 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility and gonadal dysfunction can result from gonadotoxic therapies, environmental exposures, aging, or genetic conditions. In men, non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) results from defects in the spermatogenic process that can be attributed to spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) or their niche, or both. While assisted reproductive technologies and sperm banking can enable fertility preservation (FP) in men of reproductive age who are at risk for infertility, FP for pre-pubertal patients remains experimental. Therapeutic options for NOA are limited. The rapid advance of stem cell research and of gene editing technologies could enable new FP options for these patients. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), SSC, and testicular niche cells, as well as mesenchymal stromal cells (aka medicinal signaling cells, MSCs), have been investigated for their potential use in male FP strategies. OBJECTIVE Here, we review the benefits and challenges for three types of stem cell-based approaches under investigation for male FP, focusing on the role that promising sources of MSC derived from human umbilical cord, specifically human umbilical cord perivascular cells (HUCPVC), could fulfill. These approaches are as follows: 1. isolation and ex vivo expansion of autologous SSC for in vivo transplantation or in vitro spermatogenesis; 2. in vitro differentiation toward germ cell and testicular somatic cell lineages using autologous SSC, or stem cells such iPSC or MSC; and 3. protection or regeneration of the spermatogenic niche after gonadotoxic insults in vivo. CONCLUSION Our studies suggest that HUCPVC are promising sources of cells that could be utilized in multiple aspects of male FP strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A Kauffman
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - C L Librach
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Gynecology, Women's College Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Tiegs AW, Landis J, Garrido N, Scott RT, Hotaling JM. Total Motile Sperm Count Trend Over Time: Evaluation of Semen Analyses From 119,972 Men From Subfertile Couples. Urology 2019; 132:109-116. [DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2019.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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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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Riera-Escamilla A, Enguita-Marruedo A, Moreno-Mendoza D, Chianese C, Sleddens-Linkels E, Contini E, Benelli M, Natali A, Colpi GM, Ruiz-Castañé E, Maggi M, Baarends WM, Krausz C. Sequencing of a ‘mouse azoospermia’ gene panel in azoospermic men: identification of RNF212 and STAG3 mutations as novel genetic causes of meiotic arrest. Hum Reprod 2019; 34:978-988. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION
What is the diagnostic potential of next generation sequencing (NGS) based on a ‘mouse azoospermia’ gene panel in human non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA)?
SUMMARY ANSWER
The diagnostic performance of sequencing a gene panel based on genes associated with mouse azoospermia was relatively successful in idiopathic NOA patients and allowed the discovery of two novel genes involved in NOA due to meiotic arrest.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
NOA is a largely heterogeneous clinical entity, which includes different histological pictures. In a large proportion of NOA, the aetiology remains unknown (idiopathic NOA) and yet, unknown genetic factors are likely to play be involved. The mouse is the most broadly used mammalian model for studying human disease because of its usefulness for genetic manipulation and its genetic and physiological similarities to man. Mouse azoospermia models are available in the Mouse Genome Informatics database (MGI: http://www.informatics.jax.org/).
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
The first step was to design of a ‘mouse azoospermia’ gene panel through the consultation of MGI. The second step was NGS analysis of 175 genes in a group of highly selected NOA patients (n = 33). The third step was characterization of the discovered gene defects in human testis tissue, through meiotic studies using surplus testicular biopsy material from the carriers of the RNF212 and STAG3 pathogenic variants. The final step was RNF212 and STAG3 expression analysis in a collection of testis biopsies.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
From a total of 1300 infertile patients, 33 idiopathic NOA patients were analysed in this study, including 31 unrelated men and 2 brothers from a consanguineous family. The testis histology of the 31 unrelated NOA patients was as follows: 20 Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS), 11 spermatogenic arrest (6 spermatogonial arrest and 5 spermatocytic arrest). The two brothers were affected by spermatocytic arrest. DNA extracted from blood was used for NGS on Illumina NextSeq500 platform. Generated sequence data was filtered for rare and potentially pathogenic variants. Functional studies in surplus testicular tissue from the carriers included the investigation of meiotic entry, XY body formation and metaphases by performing fluorescent immunohistochemical staining and immunocytochemistry. mRNA expression analysis through RT-qPCR of RNF212 and STAG3 was carried out in a collection of testis biopsies with different histology.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Our approach was relatively successful, leading to the genetic diagnosis of one sporadic NOA patient and two NOA brothers. This relatively high diagnostic performance is likely to be related to the stringent patient selection criteria i.e. all known causes of azoospermia were excluded and to the relatively high number of patients with rare testis histology (spermatocytic arrest). All three mutation carriers presented meiotic arrest, leading to the genetic diagnosis of three out of seven cases with this specific testicular phenotype. For the first time, we report biallelic variants in STAG3, in one sporadic patient, and a homozygous RNF212 variant, in the two brothers, as the genetic cause of NOA. Meiotic studies allowed the detection of the functional consequences of the mutations and provided information on the role of STAG3 and RNF212 in human male meiosis.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
All genes, with the exception of 5 out of 175, included in the panel cause azoospermia in mice only in the homozygous or hemizygous state. Consequently, apart from the five known dominant genes, heterozygous variants (except compound heterozygosity) in the remaining genes were not taken into consideration as causes of NOA. We identified the genetic cause in approximately half of the patients with spermatocytic arrest. The low number of analysed patients can be considered as a limitation, but it is a very rare testis phenotype. Due to the low frequency of this specific phenotype among infertile men, our finding may be considered of low clinical impact. However, at an individual level, it does have relevance for prognostic purposes prior testicular sperm extraction.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Our study represents an additional step towards elucidating the genetic bases of early spermatogenic failure, since we discovered two new genes involved in human male meiotic arrest. We propose the inclusion of RNF212 and STAG3 in a future male infertility diagnostic gene panel. Based on the associated testis phenotype, the identification of pathogenic mutations in these genes also confers a negative predictive value for testicular sperm retrieval. Our meiotic studies provide novel insights into the role of these proteins in human male meiosis. Mutations in STAG3 were first described as a cause of female infertility and ovarian cancer, and Rnf212 knock out in mice leads to male and female infertility. Hence, our results stimulate further research on shared genetic factors causing infertility in both sexes and indicate that genetic counselling should involve not only male but also female relatives of NOA patients.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
This work was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Health Instituto Carlos III-FIS (grant number: FIS/FEDER-PI14/01250; PI17/01822) awarded to CK and AR-E, and by the European Commission, Reproductive Biology Early Research Training (REPROTRAIN, EU-FP7-PEOPLE-2011-ITN289880), awarded to CK, WB, and AE-M. The authors have no conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Riera-Escamilla
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - A Enguita-Marruedo
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - D Moreno-Mendoza
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - C Chianese
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences ‘Mario Serio’, Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - E Sleddens-Linkels
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E Contini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Center of Research and Innovation of Myeloproliferative neoplasms (CRIMM), AOU Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - M Benelli
- Bioinformatics Unit, Hospital of Prato, Prato, Italy
| | - A Natali
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - G M Colpi
- Department of Andrology and IVF, San Carlo Clinic, Paderno-Dugnano/Milano, Italy
| | - E Ruiz-Castañé
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - M Maggi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences ‘Mario Serio’, Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - W M Baarends
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C Krausz
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences ‘Mario Serio’, Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Agarwal A, Panner Selvam MK, Baskaran S, Cho CL. Sperm DNA damage and its impact on male reproductive health: a critical review for clinicians, reproductive professionals and researchers. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2019; 19:443-457. [DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2019.1614916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Saradha Baskaran
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Chak-Lam Cho
- Department of Surgery, Union Hospital, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
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DNA Damage and Repair in Human Reproductive Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 20:ijms20010031. [PMID: 30577615 PMCID: PMC6337641 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The fundamental underlying paradigm of sexual reproduction is the production of male and female gametes of sufficient genetic difference and quality that, following syngamy, they result in embryos with genomic potential to allow for future adaptive change and the ability to respond to selective pressure. The fusion of dissimilar gametes resulting in the formation of a normal and viable embryo is known as anisogamy, and is concomitant with precise structural, physiological, and molecular control of gamete function for species survival. However, along the reproductive life cycle of all organisms, both male and female gametes can be exposed to an array of “stressors” that may adversely affect the composition and biological integrity of their proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, that may consequently compromise their capacity to produce normal embryos. The aim of this review is to highlight gamete genome organization, differences in the chronology of gamete production between the male and female, the inherent DNA protective mechanisms in these reproductive cells, the aetiology of DNA damage in germ cells, and the remarkable DNA repair mechanisms, pre- and post-syngamy, that function to maintain genome integrity.
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Cioppi F, Riera-Escamilla A, Manilall A, Guarducci E, Todisco T, Corona G, Colombo F, Bonomi M, Flanagan CA, Krausz C. Genetics of ncHH: from a peculiar inheritance of a novel GNRHR mutation to a comprehensive review of the literature. Andrology 2018; 7:88-101. [PMID: 30575316 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Normosmic congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (ncHH) is caused by the deficient production, secretion, or action of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Its typical clinical manifestation is delayed puberty and azoospermia. Homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations in the GNRHR gene (4q13.2) are the most frequent genetic causes of ncHH. OBJECTIVES (i) Characterization at the molecular level (genetic origin and functional effect) of a unique homozygous mutation (p.Gly99Glu) in a ncHH man; (ii) to provide a comprehensive catalog of GNRHR mutations with genotype-phenotype correlation and comparison of in vitro studies vs. in silico prediction tools. MATERIAL AND METHODS A ncHH man and his parents, in whom we performed the following: (i) Sanger sequencing, qPCR of the GNRHR gene; (ii) chromosome 4 SNP array; and (iii) competition binding assay and inositol phosphate signaling assay. PubMed and Human Genome Mutation Database (HGMD) search for GNRHR mutations. Bioinformatic analysis of 55 reported variants. RESULTS qPCR showed two GNRHR copies in the index case. SNP array revealed the inheritance of two homologous chromosomes 4 from the mother (maternal heterodisomy; hUPD) with two loss of heterozygosity regions, one of them containing the mutated gene (maternal isodisomy; iUPD). Functional studies for the p.Gly99Glu mutation demonstrated a right-shifted GnRH-stimulated signaling response. Bioinformatic tools show that commonly used in silico tools are poor predictors of the function of ncHH-associated GNRHR variants. DISCUSSION Functional analysis of the p.Gly99Glu mutation is consistent with severely decreased GnRH binding affinity (a severe partial loss-of-function mutation). Complete LOF variants are associated with severe and severe/moderate phenotype, whereas partial LOF variants show wide range of clinical manifestations. CONCLUSION This is the first ncHH patient carrying a novel causative missense mutation of GNRHR with proven 'severe pLOF' due to maternal hUPD/iUPD of chromosome 4. Our literature review shows that functional studies remain essential both for diagnostic and potential therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Cioppi
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - A Riera-Escamilla
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - A Manilall
- School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - E Guarducci
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - T Todisco
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - G Corona
- Endocrinology Unit, Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - F Colombo
- Department of Urology and Gynecology, Bologna University Hospital - Policlinico S.Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Bonomi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - C A Flanagan
- School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - C Krausz
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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