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Wagner AO, Turk A, Kunej T. Towards a Multi-Omics of Male Infertility. World J Mens Health 2023; 41:272-288. [PMID: 36649926 PMCID: PMC10042660 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.220186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a common problem affecting one in six couples and in 30% of infertile couples, the male factor is a major cause. A large number of genes are involved in spermatogenesis and a significant proportion of male infertility phenotypes are of genetic origin. Studies on infertility have so far primarily focused on chromosomal abnormalities and sequence variants in protein-coding genes and have identified a large number of disease-associated genes. However, it has been shown that a multitude of factors across various omics levels also contribute to infertility phenotypes. The complexity of male infertility has led to the understanding that an integrated, multi-omics analysis may be optimal for unravelling this disease. While there is a vast array of different factors across omics levels associated with infertility, the present review focuses on known factors from the genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, glycomics, lipidomics, miRNomics, and integrated omics levels. These include: repeat expansions in AR, POLG, ATXN1, DMPK, and SHBG, multiple SNPs, copy number variants in the AZF region, disregulated miRNAs, altered H3K9 methylation, differential MTHFR, MEG3, PEG1, and LIT1 methylation, altered protamine ratios and protein hypo/hyperphosphorylation. This integrative review presents a step towards a multi-omics approach to understanding the complex etiology of male infertility. Currently only a few genetic factors, namely chromosomal abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions, are routinely tested in infertile men undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection. A multi-omics approach to understanding infertility phenotypes may yield a more holistic view of the disease and contribute to the development of improved screening methods and treatment options. Therefore, beside discovering as of yet unknown genetic causes of infertility, integrating multiple fields of study could yield valuable contributions to the understanding of disease development. Future multi-omics studies will enable to synthesise fragmented information and facilitate biomarker discovery and treatments in male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ogrinc Wagner
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Aleksander Turk
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Kunej
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia.
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2
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Microdeletions and microduplications linked to severe congenital disorders in infertile men. Sci Rep 2023; 13:574. [PMID: 36631630 PMCID: PMC9834233 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27750-w] [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: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Data on the clinical validity of DNA copy number variants (CNVs) in spermatogenic failure (SPGF) is limited. This study analyzed the genome-wide CNV profile in 215 men with idiopathic SPGF and 62 normozoospermic fertile men, recruited at the Andrology Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, Estonia. A two-fold higher representation of > 1 Mb CNVs was observed in men with SPGF (13%, n = 28) compared to controls (6.5%, n = 4). Seven patients with SPGF were identified as carriers of microdeletions (1q21.1; 2.4 Mb) or microduplications (3p26.3, 1.1 Mb; 7p22.3-p22.2, 1.56 Mb; 10q11.22, 1.42 Mb, three cases; Xp22.33; 2.3 Mb) linked to severe congenital conditions. Large autosomal CNV carriers had oligozoospermia, reduced or low-normal bitesticular volume (22-28 ml). The 7p22.3-p22.2 microduplication carrier presented mild intellectual disability, neuropsychiatric problems, and short stature. The Xp22.33 duplication at the PAR1/non-PAR boundary, previously linked to uterine agenesis, was detected in a patient with non-obstructive azoospermia. A novel recurrent intragenic deletion in testis-specific LRRC69 was significantly overrepresented in patients with SPGF compared to the general population (3.3% vs. 0.85%; χ2 test, OR = 3.9 [95% CI 1.8-8.4], P = 0.0001). Assessment of clinically valid CNVs in patients with SPGF will improve their management and counselling for general and reproductive health, including risk of miscarriage and congenital disorders in future offspring.
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Genome-Wide Association Screening Determines Peripheral Players in Male Fertility Maintenance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010524. [PMID: 36613967 PMCID: PMC9820667 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the functional relationships of genes resulting from genome-wide screens for polymorphisms that are associated with phenotypic variations can be challenging. However, given the common association with certain phenotypes, a functional link should exist. We have tested this prediction in newly sequenced exomes of altogether 100 men representing different states of fertility. Fertile subjects presented with normal semen parameters and had naturally fathered offspring. In contrast, infertile probands were involuntarily childless and had reduced sperm quantity and quality. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) linked twelve non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to fertility variation between both cohorts. The SNPs localized to nine genes for which previous evidence is in line with a role in male fertility maintenance: ANAPC1, CES1, FAM131C, HLA-DRB1, KMT2C, NOMO1, SAA1, SRGAP2, and SUSD2. Most of the SNPs residing in these genes imply amino acid exchanges that should only moderately affect protein functionality. In addition, proteins encoded by genes from present GWAS occupied peripheral positions in a protein-protein interaction network, the backbone of which consisted of genes listed in the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database for their implication in male infertility. Suggestive of an indirect impact on male fertility, the genes focused were indeed linked to each other, albeit mediated by other interactants. Thus, the chances of identifying a central player in male infertility by GWAS could be limited in general. Furthermore, the SNPs determined and the genes containing these might prove to have potential as biomarkers in the diagnosis of male fertility.
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Id-Lahoucine S, Casellas J, Fonseca PAS, Suárez-Vega A, Schenkel FS, Cánovas A. Deviations from Mendelian Inheritance on Bovine X-Chromosome Revealing Recombination, Sex-of-Offspring Effects and Fertility-Related Candidate Genes. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13122322. [PMID: 36553588 PMCID: PMC9778079 DOI: 10.3390/genes13122322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission ratio distortion (TRD), or significant deviations from Mendelian inheritance, is a well-studied phenomenon on autosomal chromosomes, but has not yet received attention on sex chromosomes. TRD was analyzed on 3832 heterosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 400 pseudoautosomal SNPs spanning the length of the X-chromosome using 436,651 genotyped Holstein cattle. On the pseudoautosomal region, an opposite sire-TRD pattern between male and female offspring was identified for 149 SNPs. This finding revealed unique SNPs linked to a specific-sex (Y- or X-) chromosome and describes the accumulation of recombination events across the pseudoautosomal region. On the heterosomal region, 13 SNPs and 69 haplotype windows were identified with dam-TRD. Functional analyses for TRD regions highlighted relevant biological functions responsible to regulate spermatogenesis, development of Sertoli cells, homeostasis of endometrium tissue and embryonic development. This study uncovered the prevalence of different TRD patterns across both heterosomal and pseudoautosomal regions of the X-chromosome and revealed functional candidate genes for bovine reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Id-Lahoucine
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Joaquim Casellas
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo A. S. Fonseca
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Aroa Suárez-Vega
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Flavio S. Schenkel
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Angela Cánovas
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Correspondence:
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Wyrwoll MJ, Wabschke R, Röpke A, Wöste M, Ruckert C, Perrey S, Rotte N, Hardy J, Astica L, Lupiáñez DG, Wistuba J, Westernströer B, Schlatt S, Berman AJ, Müller AM, Kliesch S, Yatsenko AN, Tüttelmann F, Friedrich C. Analysis of copy number variation in men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Andrology 2022; 10:1593-1604. [PMID: 36041235 PMCID: PMC9605881 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent findings demonstrate that single nucleotide variants can cause non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). In contrast, copy number variants (CNVs) were only analysed in few studies in infertile men. Some have reported a higher prevalence of CNVs in infertile versus fertile men. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to elucidate if CNVs are associated with NOA. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed array-based comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) in 37 men with meiotic arrest, 194 men with Sertoli cell-only phenotype, and 21 control men. We filtered our data for deletions affecting genes and prioritised the affected genes according to the literature search. Prevalence of CNVs was compared between all groups. Exome data of 2,030 men were screened to detect further genetic variants in prioritised genes. Modelling was performed for the protein encoded by the novel candidate gene TEKT5 and we stained for TEKT5 in human testicular tissue. RESULTS We determined the cause of infertility in two individuals with homozygous deletions of SYCE1 and in one individual with a heterozygous deletion of SYCE1 combined with a likely pathogenic missense variant on the second allele. We detected heterozygous deletions affecting MLH3, EIF2B2, SLX4, CLPP and TEKT5, in one subject each. CNVs were not detected more frequently in infertile men compared with controls. DISCUSSION While SYCE1 and MLH3 encode known meiosis-specific proteins, much less is known about the proteins encoded by the other identified candidate genes, warranting further analyses. We were able to identify the cause of infertility in one out of the 231 infertile men by aCGH and in two men by using exome sequencing data. CONCLUSION As aCGH and exome sequencing are both expensive methods, combining both in a clinical routine is not an effective strategy. Instead, using CNV calling from exome data has recently become more precise, potentially making aCGH dispensable.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. J. Wyrwoll
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - R. Wabschke
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - A. Röpke
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - M. Wöste
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - C. Ruckert
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - S. Perrey
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Chemoinformatics, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, Recklinghausen, Germany
| | - N. Rotte
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - J. Hardy
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - L. Astica
- Epigenetics and Sex Development Group, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - D. G. Lupiáñez
- Epigenetics and Sex Development Group, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - J. Wistuba
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - B. Westernströer
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - S. Schlatt
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - A. J. Berman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - A. M. Müller
- Practice for Pathology and Centre for Pediatric Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - S. Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - A. N. Yatsenko
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - F. Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - C. Friedrich
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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6
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Hardy J, Pollock N, Gingrich T, Sweet P, Ramesh A, Kuong J, Basar A, Jiang H, Hwang K, Vukina J, Jaffe T, Olszewska M, Kurpisz M, Yatsenko AN. Genomic testing for copy number and single nucleotide variants in spermatogenic failure. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:2103-2114. [PMID: 35849255 PMCID: PMC9474750 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02538-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify clinically significant genomic copy number (CNV) and single nucleotide variants (SNV) in males with unexplained spermatogenic failure (SPGF). MATERIALS AND METHODS Peripheral blood DNA from 97/102 study participants diagnosed with oligozoospermia, severe oligozoospermia, or non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) was analyzed for CNVs via array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and SNVs using whole-exome sequencing (WES). RESULTS Of the 2544 CNVs identified in individuals with SPGF, > 90% were small, ranging from 0.6 to 75 kb. Thirty, clinically relevant genomic aberrations, were detected in 28 patients (~ 29%). These included likely diagnostic CNVs in 3/41 NOA patients (~ 7%): 1 hemizygous, intragenic TEX11 deletion, 1 hemizygous DDX53 full gene deletion, and 1 homozygous, intragenic STK11 deletion. High-level mosaicism for X chromosome disomy (~ 10% 46,XY and ~ 90% 47,XXY) was also identified in 3 of 41 NOA patients who previously tested normal with conventional karyotyping. The remaining 24 CNVs detected were heterozygous, autosomal recessive carrier variants. Follow-up WES analysis confirmed 8 of 27 (30%) CNVs (X chromosome disomy excluded). WES analysis additionally identified 13 significant SNVs and/or indels in 9 patients (~ 9%) including X-linked AR, KAL1, and NR0B1 variants. CONCLUSION Using a combined genome-wide aCGH/WES approach, we identified pathogenic and likely pathogenic SNVs and CNVs in 15 patients (15%) with unexplained SPGF. This value equals the detection rate of conventional testing for aneuploidies and is considerably higher than the prevalence of Y chromosome microdeletions. Our results underscore the importance of comprehensive genomic analysis in emerging diagnostic testing of complex conditions like male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Hardy
- Department of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - N Pollock
- Department of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - T Gingrich
- Department of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - P Sweet
- Department of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - A Ramesh
- Department of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - J Kuong
- Department of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - A Basar
- Department of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - H Jiang
- Department of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - K Hwang
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - J Vukina
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - T Jaffe
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - M Olszewska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - M Kurpisz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - A N Yatsenko
- Department of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
- Department of Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
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7
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Botezatu A, Vladoiu S, Fudulu A, Albulescu A, Plesa A, Muresan A, Stancu C, Iancu IV, Diaconu CC, Velicu A, Popa OM, Badiu C, Dinu-Draganescu D. Advanced molecular approaches in male infertility diagnosis. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:684-704. [PMID: 35594455 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac105] [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: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the recent years a special attention has been given to a major health concern namely to male infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, taken into account the statistics that highlight that sperm counts have dropped by 50-60% in recent decades. According to the WHO, infertility affects approximately 9% of couples globally, and the male factor is believed to be present in roughly 50% of cases, with exclusive responsibility in 30%. The aim of this manuscript is to present an evidence-based approach for diagnosing male infertility that includes finding new solutions for diagnosis and critical outcomes, retrieving up-to-date studies and existing guidelines. The diverse factors that induce male infertility generated in a vast amount of data that needed to be analysed by a clinician before a decision could be made for each individual. Modern medicine faces numerous obstacles as a result of the massive amount of data generated by the molecular biology discipline. To address complex clinical problems, vast data must be collected, analysed, and used, which can be very challenging. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) methods to create a decision support system can help predict the diagnosis and guide treatment for infertile men, based on analysis of different data as environmental and lifestyle, clinical (sperm count, morphology, hormone testing, karyotype, etc.) and "omics" bigdata. Ultimately, the development of AI algorithms will assist clinicians in formulating diagnosis, making treatment decisions, and predicting outcomes for assisted reproduction techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Botezatu
- "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - S Vladoiu
- "CI Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - A Fudulu
- "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - A Albulescu
- "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania.,National Institute for Chemical pharmaceutical Research & Development
| | - A Plesa
- "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - A Muresan
- "CI Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - C Stancu
- "CI Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - I V Iancu
- "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - C C Diaconu
- "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - A Velicu
- "CI Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - O M Popa
- "CI Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - C Badiu
- "CI Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania.,"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
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PRSS55 is a novel potential causative gene for human male infertility. Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 45:553-562. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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9
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Kadiyska T, Tourtourikov I, Dabchev K, Madzharova D, Tincheva S, Spandidos DA, Zoumpourlis V. Role of testis‑specific serine kinase 1B in undiagnosed male infertility. Mol Med Rep 2022; 25:204. [PMID: 35485285 PMCID: PMC9073834 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12720] [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: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a global problem affecting a considerable part of the male population. Current guidelines and practices aimed at diagnosing the cause of this problem still have low diagnostic yield. As novel candidate genes for infertility emerge, their functional role needs to be investigated in patient populations. The present study aimed to investigate testis-specific serine kinase 1B (TSSK1B), which was discovered in a previously diagnosed patient. Sanger sequencing of the coding regions and exon borders of TSSK1B was performed in a cohort of 100 male Bulgarian patients with unresolved infertility causes. Missense mutations were discovered in 10% of patients and were associated with clinical data on sperm dysmorphology. Two previously unreported mutations were discovered, p.3D>N and p.52F>L. All mutations were scored via in silico predictors and protein modelling using AlphaFold2. The present findings indicated an association between TSSK1B mutations and asthenoteratozoospermia, with further missense mutations in patients with azoospermia and teratozoospermia. Mutations in TSSK1B may be a cause of undiagnosed cases of male infertility and should be considered when molecular diagnostics are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Kadiyska
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University, 1413 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | | | | | - Savina Tincheva
- Genetic Medico‑Diagnostic Laboratory 'Genica', 1612 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Demetrios A Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece
| | - Vassilis Zoumpourlis
- Biomedical Applications Unit, Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece
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10
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Lan KC, Wang HJ, Wang TJ, Lin HJ, Chang YC, Kang HY. Y-chromosome genes associated with sertoli cell-only syndrome identified by array comparative genome hybridization. Biomed J 2022; 46:100524. [PMID: 35358715 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The precise contribution of each chromosome gene or gene family in achieving male fertility is still the subject of debate. Most studies have examined male populations with heterogeneous causes of infertility, and have therefore reached controversial or uncertain conclusions. This study uses Y-chromosome array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) to examine a population of males with a uniform sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) infertility phenotype. METHODS Initial analysis of gene copy number variations in 8 SCOS patients, with determination of the log-ratio of probe signal intensity against a DNA reference, was performed using the Y-chromosome NimbleGen aCGH. To confirm the role of candidate genes, real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to compare 19 patients who had SCOS non-obstructive azoospermia with 15 patients who had obstructive azoospermia but normal spermatogenesis. RESULTS Our initial aCGH experiments identified CDY1a and CDY1b double deletions in all 8 patients who had total germ cell depletion. However, 5 patients had DAZ1/2 and DAZ3/4 deletions, 1 patient had a DAZ2 and DAZ3/4 deletion, and 2 patients had no DAZ1/2 or DAZ3/4 deletions. Examination of testicular mRNA expression in another 19 patients with SCOS indicated all patients had no detectable levels of CDY1. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that CDY1 deletion in SCOS patients, and analysis of the expression of DAZ and CDY1 genes using aCGH and quantitative RT-PCR, may be useful to predict the presence of mature spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Chung Lan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Center for Menopause and Reproductive Medicine Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jen-Ai Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Hung-Jen Wang
- Department of Urology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Jou Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Jung Lin
- Center for Menopause and Reproductive Medicine Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chiao Chang
- Center for Menopause and Reproductive Medicine Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Yo Kang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Center for Menopause and Reproductive Medicine Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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11
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Who cares about oligozoospermia when we have ICSI. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 44:769-775. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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12
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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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13
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DEMİR EKŞİ D, YILMAZ E, AKIN Y, USTA MF, BAŞAR MM, KAHRAMAN S, ERMAN M, ALPER ÖM. Copy Number Variation Analysis in Turkish Patients with Congenital Bilateral Absence of Vas Deferens. ACTA MEDICA ALANYA 2021. [DOI: 10.30565/medalanya.966940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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14
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Sharma A, Jain M, Halder A, Kaushal S. Identification of genomic imbalances (CNVs as well as LOH) in sertoli cell only syndrome cases through cytoscan microarray. Gene 2021; 801:145851. [PMID: 34274474 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145851] [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: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Sertoli cell only syndrome (SCOS) is characterized by complete absence of germ cells in seminiferous tubules of testis. SCOS is multifactorial but genetic factors play a major role in pathogenesis of the disorder with idiopathic origin. Genetic factors majorly include sex chromosomal aneuploidy and Yq Microdeletion. But a large number of cases are still idiopathic. The study aimed to evaluate the genomic imbalances (CNVs and LOH) in idiopathic SCOS patients. The study is based on 28 apparent idiopathic SCOS cases and 10 controls. Molecular cytogenetic techniques viz., FISH, STS-Multiplex PCR and Affymetrix cytoscan microarray (750 K) were used. The microarray screened whole genomic imbalances in DNA from peripheral blood of 25 cases (excluded Klinefelter syndrome patients) and testicular FNAC sample of 2 cases. High FSH and low Inhibin B were observed in cases as compared to control controls groups. Four cases of sex chromosomal abnormality (i.e., three non-mosaic 47, XXY males and one non-mosaic 46, XX male) as well as four cases of Yq microdeletion (i.e., three cases with AZFc deletion and one case with complete AZFa, b and c deletion) were identified. Microarray detected unbalanced translocation of two segments of Y-chromosome i.e., Yp11.31-p11.2 (~4.o mb region, involving SRY) and Yp11.2 (~2.5 mb region) on X-chromosome in XX male. Also, loss of segment on same X-chromosome involving PAR1 region was identified. We have identified both autosomal and sex chromosomal CNVs (recurrent as well as private) involving candidate genes like SYCE1, ZFPM2, SRPK1, DAZ1, BPY2, HSFY1, VCY1 etc. All these CNVs are possibly associated with SCOS pathogenesis. CNVs identified in cases were already reported as pathogenic variant in clinical database DECIPHER. Microarray also detected many LOH (all autosomal, >3.0 mb size) that covered genes with spermatogenesis related function. The mechanism of action of LOH in pathogenesis of SCOS still remains unravelled. CNVs and LOH related to spermatogenesis identified from two different sample types (blood vs. testicular tissue) were discordant. This study should be extended for larger cohort of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiyush Sharma
- Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Manish Jain
- Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| | - Ashutosh Halder
- Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Seema Kaushal
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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15
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Shiraishi K. Genome medicine in male infertility: From karyotyping to single-cell analysis. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2021; 47:2586-2596. [PMID: 33998107 DOI: 10.1111/jog.14828] [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: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility is a multifactorial pathological condition that affects half of infertile couples. The majority of cases are categorized as idiopathic, especially in cases of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). An increasing number of genetic abnormalities have been shown to cause spermatogenic impairment with the development of microarray technologies and next-generation sequencing (NGS), moving beyond classical karyotype and polymerase chain reaction analyses of targeted genes. However, the majority of gene mutations, such as Klinefelter syndrome, azoospermia factor microdeletion, or congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens, fail to function in a one gene-one phenotype manner. Single-cell transcriptome analysis performed using human testicular samples has begun to be published, which has brought about a more comprehensive understanding of testicular pathology. NGS also enables omics approaches, which provide more powerful tools to interrogate the genome, epigenome, transcriptome, and proteome. Simultaneously, the involvement of environmental factors and comorbidities, which may potentially regulate epigenetic factors, has been shown, resulting in a more complex understanding of the pathophysiology of spermatic disorders, especially NOA. The combination of phenotypic data and large amounts of bioinformatical data obtained by NGS may provide a more comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of male infertility, which will contribute not only to a diagnosis but also to the proper selection of infertility treatment and the development of new treatment modalities for male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Shiraishi
- Department of Urology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
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16
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Torres-Fernández LA, Emich J, Port Y, Mitschka S, Wöste M, Schneider S, Fietz D, Oud MS, Di Persio S, Neuhaus N, Kliesch S, Hölzel M, Schorle H, Friedrich C, Tüttelmann F, Kolanus W. TRIM71 Deficiency Causes Germ Cell Loss During Mouse Embryogenesis and Is Associated With Human Male Infertility. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:658966. [PMID: 34055789 PMCID: PMC8155544 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.658966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations affecting the germline can result in infertility or the generation of germ cell tumors (GCT), highlighting the need to identify and characterize the genes controlling germ cell development. The RNA-binding protein and E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM71 is essential for embryogenesis, and its expression has been reported in GCT and adult mouse testes. To investigate the role of TRIM71 in mammalian germ cell embryonic development, we generated a germline-specific conditional Trim71 knockout mouse (cKO) using the early primordial germ cell (PGC) marker Nanos3 as a Cre-recombinase driver. cKO mice are infertile, with male mice displaying a Sertoli cell-only (SCO) phenotype which in humans is defined as a specific subtype of non-obstructive azoospermia characterized by the absence of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules. Infertility in male Trim71 cKO mice originates during embryogenesis, as the SCO phenotype was already apparent in neonatal mice. The in vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into PGC-like cells (PGCLCs) revealed reduced numbers of PGCLCs in Trim71-deficient cells. Furthermore, TCam-2 cells, a human GCT-derived seminoma cell line which was used as an in vitro model for PGCs, showed proliferation defects upon TRIM71 knockdown. Additionally, in vitro growth competition assays, as well as proliferation assays with wild type and CRISPR/Cas9-generated TRIM71 mutant NCCIT cells showed that TRIM71 also promotes proliferation in this malignant GCT-derived non-seminoma cell line. Importantly, the PGC-specific markers BLIMP1 and NANOS3 were consistently downregulated in Trim71 KO PGCLCs, TRIM71 knockdown TCam-2 cells and TRIM71 mutant NCCIT cells. These data collectively support a role for TRIM71 in PGC development. Last, via exome sequencing analysis, we identified several TRIM71 variants in a cohort of infertile men, including a loss-of-function variant in a patient with an SCO phenotype. Altogether, our work reveals for the first time an association of TRIM71 deficiency with human male infertility, and uncovers further developmental roles for TRIM71 in the germline during mouse embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jana Emich
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Yasmine Port
- Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sibylle Mitschka
- Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marius Wöste
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Simon Schneider
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniela Fietz
- Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine (HZRM), Justus Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Manon S. Oud
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Sara Di Persio
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nina Neuhaus
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Waldemar Kolanus
- Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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17
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Krausz C. Editorial for the special issue on the molecular genetics of male infertility. Hum Genet 2021; 140:1-5. [PMID: 33337534 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02245-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Csilla Krausz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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18
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Ghanami Gashti N, Sadighi Gilani MA, Abbasi M. Sertoli cell-only syndrome: etiology and clinical management. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:559-572. [PMID: 33428073 PMCID: PMC7910341 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02063-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost 50% of infertility cases are due to male factors, and spermatogenesis failure is one of the most severe forms of male infertility. Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) also known as germ cell aplasia is characterized by azoospermia in which the seminiferous tubules of testicular biopsy are lined only with Sertoli cells. The definitive diagnosis of SCOS is by diagnostic testicular biopsy. Although SCOS may be a result of Klinefelter syndrome, most of the SCOS men have a normal karyotype. Along with genetic aberrations, signaling pathways and endocrine processes might be major factors in the development of SCOS. Sperm retrieval and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are available treatments for SCOS. However, some SCOS patients do not have therapeutic options to help them having a biological child. This review aims to summarize our present knowledge about SCOS and to highlight the importance of future researches in the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasrin Ghanami Gashti
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Sadighi Gilani
- Department of Urology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Abbasi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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19
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Mahbouli S, Dupont C, Elfassy Y, Lameignère E, Levy R. Exploring the potential impact of nutritionally actionable genetic polymorphisms on idiopathic male infertility: a review of current evidence. Asian J Androl 2021; 23:441-449. [PMID: 33533736 PMCID: PMC8451495 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_87_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects about 15% of the world's population. In 40%–50% of infertile couples, a male factor underlies the problem, but in about 50% of these cases, the etiology of male infertility remains unexplained. Some clinical data show that lifestyle interventions may contribute to male reproductive health. Cessation of unhealthy habits is suggested for preserving male fertility; there is growing evidence that most preexisting comorbidities, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome, are highly likely to have an impact on male fertility. The analysis of genetic polymorphisms implicated in metabolic activity represents one of the most exciting areas in the study of genetic causes of male infertility. Although these polymorphisms are not directly connected with male infertility, they may have a role in specific conditions associated with it, that is, metabolic disorders and oxidative stress pathway genes that are potentially associated with an increased risk of male infertility due to DNA and cell membrane damage. Some studies have examined the impact of individual genetic differences and gene-diet interactions on male infertility, but their results have not been synthesized. We review the current research to identify genetic variants that could be tested to improve the chances of conceiving spontaneously through personalized diet and/or oral vitamin and mineral supplementation, by examining the science of genetic modifiers of dietary factors that affect nutritional status and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinda Mahbouli
- FabLife, 104 Avenue Albert 1er, Rueil-Malmaison 92500, France
| | - Charlotte Dupont
- Sorbonne Université, Saint Antoine Research Centre, INSERM Genetic and Acquired Lipodystrophies Team, Reproductive Biology and CECOS, AP-HP, Tenon Hospital, Paris F-75020, France.,Reproductive Biology and CECOS, AP-HP, Tenon Hospital, Paris F-75020, France
| | - Yaelle Elfassy
- Reproductive Biology and CECOS, AP-HP, Tenon Hospital, Paris F-75020, France
| | - Eric Lameignère
- FabLife, 104 Avenue Albert 1er, Rueil-Malmaison 92500, France
| | - Rachel Levy
- Sorbonne Université, Saint Antoine Research Centre, INSERM Genetic and Acquired Lipodystrophies Team, Reproductive Biology and CECOS, AP-HP, Tenon Hospital, Paris F-75020, France.,Reproductive Biology and CECOS, AP-HP, Tenon Hospital, Paris F-75020, France
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20
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The Identification of a Novel Fucosidosis-Associated FUCA1 Mutation: A Case of a 5-Year-Old Polish Girl with Two Additional Rare Chromosomal Aberrations and Affected DNA Methylation Patterns. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12010074. [PMID: 33435586 PMCID: PMC7827884 DOI: 10.3390/genes12010074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fucosidosis is a rare neurodegenerative autosomal recessive disorder, which manifests as progressive neurological and psychomotor deterioration, growth retardation, skin and skeletal abnormalities, intellectual disability and coarsening of facial features. It is caused by biallelic mutations in FUCA1 encoding the α-L-fucosidase enzyme, which in turn is responsible for degradation of fucose-containing glycoproteins and glycolipids. FUCA1 mutations lead to severe reduction or even loss of α-L-fucosidase enzyme activity. This results in incomplete breakdown of fucose-containing compounds leading to their deposition in different tissues and, consequently, disease progression. To date, 36 pathogenic variants in FUCA1 associated with fucosidosis have been documented. Among these are three splice site variants. Here, we report a novel fucosidosis-related 9-base-pair deletion (NG_013346.1:g.10233_10241delACAGGTAAG) affecting the exon 3/intron 3 junction within a FUCA1 sequence. This novel pathogenic variant was identified in a five-year-old Polish girl with a well-defined pattern of fucosidosis symptoms. Since it is postulated that other genetic, nongenetic or environmental factors can also contribute to fucosidosis pathogenesis, we performed further analysis and found two rare de novo chromosomal aberrations in the girl’s genome involving a 15q11.1-11.2 microdeletion and an Xq22.2 gain. These abnormalities were associated with genome-wide changes in DNA methylation status in the epigenome of blood cells.
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21
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Najafipour R, Momeni A, Yousefipour F, Mousavi S, Moghbelinejad S. Underexpression of hsa-miR-449 family and their promoter hypermethylation in infertile men: A case-control study. Int J Reprod Biomed 2021; 19:23-34. [PMID: 33554000 PMCID: PMC7851476 DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v19i1.8177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-transcriptional microRNAs (miRNAs) have a impotrant pattern in the spermatogenesis process. OBJECTIVE Study of the expression and methylation of hsa-miR-449 family in sperm samples of infertile men. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this case-control study, we recruited 74 infertile men (with asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia, asthenoteratozoospermia, and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia) and 30 control samles. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) method was used for methylation evaluation of hsa-miR-449 a, b, c promoter. By Real time PCR (qRT-PCR) method,we showed downregulation of hsa-miR-449 a, b, c in the sperm samples of infertile men and compared it to their fertile counterparts. RESULTS There was significant underexperssion, in hsa-miR-449-b in oligoasthenoteratospermic samples (p = 0.0001, F = 2.9). About the methylation pattern, infertile men showed high frequency of methylation in the promoter of hsa-miR-449 a, b, c in comparison to controls (60.8% vs 23.3%), the highest amount of methylation was observed in oligoasthenoteratospermia samples (81.2%). CONCLUSION In this study, low expression and high methylation of hsa-miR-449-b were observed in infertile men in compared to control samples, which can be one of the causes of defective spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Najafipour
- Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Abdolmabood Momeni
- Biology Department, School of Basic Science, Arak University, Arak, Iran
| | | | - Shaghayegh Mousavi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Sahar Moghbelinejad
- Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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22
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Xavier MJ, Salas-Huetos A, Oud MS, Aston KI, Veltman JA. Disease gene discovery in male infertility: past, present and future. Hum Genet 2021; 140:7-19. [PMID: 32638125 PMCID: PMC7864819 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02202-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Identifying the genes causing male infertility is important to increase our biological understanding as well as the diagnostic yield and clinical relevance of genetic testing in this disorder. While significant progress has been made in some areas, mainly in our knowledge of the genes underlying rare qualitative sperm defects, the same cannot be said for the genetics of quantitative sperm defects. Technological advances and approaches in genomics are critical for the process of disease gene identification. In this review we highlight the impact of various technological developments on male infertility gene discovery as well as functional validation, going from the past to the present and the future. In particular, we draw attention to the use of unbiased genomics approaches, the development of increasingly relevant functional assays and the importance of large-scale international collaboration to advance disease gene identification in male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Xavier
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - A Salas-Huetos
- Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - M S Oud
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - K I Aston
- Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.
| | - J A Veltman
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
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23
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Macrozoospermia associated with mutations of AURKC gene: First case report in Latin America and literature review. Rev Int Androl 2020; 18:159-163. [DOI: 10.1016/j.androl.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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24
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Shami AN, Zheng X, Munyoki SK, Ma Q, Manske GL, Green CD, Sukhwani M, Orwig KE, Li JZ, Hammoud SS. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Human, Macaque, and Mouse Testes Uncovers Conserved and Divergent Features of Mammalian Spermatogenesis. Dev Cell 2020; 54:529-547.e12. [PMID: 32504559 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a highly regulated process that produces sperm to transmit genetic information to the next generation. Although extensively studied in mice, our current understanding of primate spermatogenesis is limited to populations defined by state-specific markers from rodent data. As between-species differences have been reported in the duration and differentiation hierarchy of this process, it remains unclear how molecular markers and cell states are conserved or have diverged from mice to man. To address this challenge, we employ single-cell RNA sequencing to identify transcriptional signatures of major germ and somatic cell types of the testes in human, macaque, and mice. This approach reveals similarities and differences in expression throughout spermatogenesis, including the stem/progenitor pool of spermatogonia, markers of differentiation, potential regulators of meiosis, RNA turnover during spermatid differentiation, and germ cell-soma communication. These datasets provide a rich foundation for future targeted mechanistic studies of primate germ cell development and in vitro gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xianing Zheng
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sarah K Munyoki
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Integrative Systems Biology Graduate Program, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Qianyi Ma
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gabriel L Manske
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Meena Sukhwani
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Integrative Systems Biology Graduate Program, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kyle E Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Integrative Systems Biology Graduate Program, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Jun Z Li
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Saher Sue Hammoud
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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25
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Gunes S, Esteves SC. Role of genetics and epigenetics in male infertility. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13586. [PMID: 32314821 DOI: 10.1111/and.13586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a complex condition with a strong genetic and epigenetic background. This review discusses the importance of genetic and epigenetic factors in the pathophysiology of male infertility. The interplay between thousands of genes, the epigenetic control of gene expression, and environmental and lifestyle factors, which influence genetic and epigenetic variants, determines the resulting male infertility phenotype. Currently, karyotyping, Y-chromosome microdeletion screening and CFTR gene mutation tests are routinely performed to investigate a possible genetic aetiology in patients with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. However, current testing is limited in its ability to identify a variety of genetic and epigenetic conditions that might be implicated in both idiopathic and unexplained infertility. Several epimutations of imprinting genes and developmental genes have been postulated to be candidate markers for male infertility. As such, development of novel diagnostic panels is essential to change the current landscape with regard to prevention, diagnosis and management. Understanding the underlying genetic mechanisms related to the pathophysiology of male infertility, and the impact of environmental exposures and lifestyle factors on gene expression might aid clinicians in developing individualised treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sezgin Gunes
- Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.,Molecular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Sandro C Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Referral Center for Male Reproduction, Campinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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26
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Abstract
The male contribution to infertility has traditionally been overlooked, or at best oversimplified. In recent years efforts have been made to optimize diagnostic and therapeutic techniques to maximize fertility outcomes. A renewed focus on the male partner has resulted in an increased understanding of both genetic and epigenetic changes within the male germline. Furthermore, single-nucleotide polymorphisms, copy-number variants, DNA damage, sperm cryopreservation, obesity, and paternal age have recently been recognized as important factors that play a role in male fertility. Developing a deeper knowledge of these issues could potentially lead to improved success with assisted reproductive technology.
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27
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Rocca MS, Msaki A, Ghezzi M, Cosci I, Pilichou K, Celeghin R, Foresta C, Ferlin A. Development of a novel next-generation sequencing panel for diagnosis of quantitative spermatogenic impairment. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:753-762. [PMID: 32242295 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01747-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop and assess a novel custom next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel for male infertility genetic diagnosis. METHODS A total of 241 subjects with diagnosis of idiopathic infertility ranging from azoospermia to normozoospermia were sequenced by a custom NGS panel including AR, FSHB, FSHR, KLHL10, NR5A1, NANOS1, SEPT12, SYCP3, TEX11 genes. Variants with minor allele frequency < 1% were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS Nineteen missense variants were detected in 23 subjects with abnormal sperm count, whilst no variants were identified in normozoospermic men. Of identified variants, we prioritized variants classified as pathogenic and of uncertain significance (VUS) (63.1%, 12/19). No missense variants were found in males with normal seminal parameters (0/67). Therefore, the prevalence of variants was significantly higher in patients with spermatogenic impairment (16/174 vs 0/67, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION This study confirms the utility to apply NGS panel for infertility diagnosis in order to find new genetic variants potentially linked to male infertility with much higher accuracy than standard tests suggested by guidelines. Indeed, based on biological significance, prevalence in the general population and clinical data of patients, it is plausible that identified variants in this study might be linked to quantitative spermatogenic impairment, although further studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Santa Rocca
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Aichi Msaki
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Ghezzi
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cosci
- Familial Cancer Clinic, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | - Kalliopi Pilichou
- Department of Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Rudy Celeghin
- Department of Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Foresta
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padova, Italy.
| | - Alberto Ferlin
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Cerván-Martín M, Castilla JA, Palomino-Morales RJ, Carmona FD. Genetic Landscape of Nonobstructive Azoospermia and New Perspectives for the Clinic. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9020300. [PMID: 31973052 PMCID: PMC7074441 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9020300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) represents the most severe expression of male infertility, involving around 1% of the male population and 10% of infertile men. This condition is characterised by the inability of the testis to produce sperm cells, and it is considered to have an important genetic component. During the last two decades, different genetic anomalies, including microdeletions of the Y chromosome, karyotype defects, and missense mutations in genes involved in the reproductive function, have been described as the primary cause of NOA in many infertile men. However, these alterations only explain around 25% of azoospermic cases, with the remaining patients showing an idiopathic origin. Recent studies clearly suggest that the so-called idiopathic NOA has a complex aetiology with a polygenic inheritance, which may alter the spermatogenic process. Although we are far from a complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying NOA, the use of the new technologies for genetic analysis has enabled a considerable increase in knowledge during the last years. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive and updated overview of the genetic basis of NOA, with a special focus on the possible application of the recent insights in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Cerván-Martín
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Av. del Conocimiento, s/n, 18016 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
| | - José A. Castilla
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
- Unidad de Reproducción, UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología, HU Virgen de las Nieves, Av. de las Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014 Granada, Spain
- CEIFER Biobanco—NextClinics, Calle Maestro Bretón 1, 18004 Granada, Spain
| | - Rogelio J. Palomino-Morales
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad de Granada, Facultad de Ciencias, Av. de Fuente Nueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - F. David Carmona
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Av. del Conocimiento, s/n, 18016 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-958-241-000 (ext 20170)
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29
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Schiffer C, Rieger S, Brenker C, Young S, Hamzeh H, Wachten D, Tüttelmann F, Röpke A, Kaupp UB, Wang T, Wagner A, Krallmann C, Kliesch S, Fallnich C, Strünker T. Rotational motion and rheotaxis of human sperm do not require functional CatSper channels and transmembrane Ca 2+ signaling. EMBO J 2020; 39:e102363. [PMID: 31957048 PMCID: PMC7024840 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019102363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Navigation of sperm in fluid flow, called rheotaxis, provides long‐range guidance in the mammalian oviduct. The rotation of sperm around their longitudinal axis (rolling) promotes rheotaxis. Whether sperm rolling and rheotaxis require calcium (Ca2+) influx via the sperm‐specific Ca2+ channel CatSper, or rather represent passive biomechanical and hydrodynamic processes, has remained controversial. Here, we study the swimming behavior of sperm from healthy donors and from infertile patients that lack functional CatSper channels, using dark‐field microscopy, optical tweezers, and microfluidics. We demonstrate that rolling and rheotaxis persist in CatSper‐deficient human sperm. Furthermore, human sperm undergo rolling and rheotaxis even when Ca2+ influx is prevented. Finally, we show that rolling and rheotaxis also persist in mouse sperm deficient in both CatSper and flagellar Ca2+‐signaling domains. Our results strongly support the concept that passive biomechanical and hydrodynamic processes enable sperm rolling and rheotaxis, rather than calcium signaling mediated by CatSper or other mechanisms controlling transmembrane Ca2+ flux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Schiffer
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Steffen Rieger
- Optical Technologies Group, Institute of Applied Physics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Christoph Brenker
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Samuel Young
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Hussein Hamzeh
- Molecular Sensory Systems, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wachten
- Minerva Max Planck Research Group, Molecular Physiology, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Albrecht Röpke
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - U Benjamin Kaupp
- Molecular Sensory Systems, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tao Wang
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Alice Wagner
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Claudia Krallmann
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Carsten Fallnich
- Optical Technologies Group, Institute of Applied Physics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC1003-CiM), Münster, Germany
| | - Timo Strünker
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC1003-CiM), Münster, Germany
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30
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Venditti M, Fasano C, Minucci S, Serino I, Sinisi AA, Dale B, Di Matteo L. DAAM1 and PREP are involved in human spermatogenesis. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 32:484-494. [DOI: 10.1071/rd19172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
During differentiation of the male gamete, there is a massive remodelling in the shape and architecture of all the cells in the seminiferous epithelium. The cytoskeleton, as well as many associated proteins, plays a pivotal role in this process. To better characterise the factors involved, we analysed two proteins: the formin, dishevelled-associated activator of morphogenesis 1 (DAAM1), which participates in the regulation of actin polymerisation, and the protease, prolyl endopeptidase (PREP), engaged in microtubule-associated processes. In our previous studies we demonstrated their involvement in cytoskeletal dynamics necessary for correct postnatal development of the rat testis. Here, we used samples of testicular tissue obtained from infertile men by testicular sperm extraction and the spermatozoa of asthenoteratozoospermic patients. By western blot and immunofluorescent analysis, we found that DAAM1 and PREP expression and localisation were impaired in both the testis and spermatozoa, and in particular in the midpiece as well as in the principal and end-pieces of the flagella, as compared with spermatozoa of normospermic men. Our results provide new knowledge of the dynamics of spermatogenesis, raising the possibility of using DAAM1 and PREP as new markers of normal fertility.
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31
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Momeni A, Najafipour R, Hamta A, Jahani S, Moghbelinejad S. Expression and Methylation Pattern of hsa-miR-34 Family in Sperm Samples of Infertile Men. Reprod Sci 2020; 27:301-308. [DOI: 10.1007/s43032-019-00025-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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32
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Wen L, Liu Q, Xu J, Liu X, Shi C, Yang Z, Zhang Y, Xu H, Liu J, Yang H, Huang H, Qiao J, Tang F, Chen ZJ. Recent advances in mammalian reproductive biology. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 63:18-58. [PMID: 31813094 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-019-1572-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Reproductive biology is a uniquely important topic since it is about germ cells, which are central for transmitting genetic information from generation to generation. In this review, we discuss recent advances in mammalian germ cell development, including preimplantation development, fetal germ cell development and postnatal development of oocytes and sperm. We also discuss the etiologies of female and male infertility and describe the emerging technologies for studying reproductive biology such as gene editing and single-cell technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wen
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jingjing Xu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Xixi Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chaoyi Shi
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Zuwei Yang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yili Zhang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Hong Xu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Hui Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Hefeng Huang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Jie Qiao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Jinan, 250021, China.
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33
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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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34
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Schilit SLP. Recent advances and future opportunities to diagnose male infertility. CURRENT SEXUAL HEALTH REPORTS 2019; 11:331-341. [PMID: 31853232 PMCID: PMC6919557 DOI: 10.1007/s11930-019-00225-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Infertility affects 10-15% of couples, making it one of the most frequent health disorders for individuals of reproductive age. The state of childlessness and efforts to restore fertility cause substantial emotional, social, and financial stress on couples. Male factors contribute to about half of all infertility cases, and yet are understudied relative to female factors. The result is that the majority of men with infertility lack specific causal diagnoses, which serves as a missed opportunity to inform therapies for these couples. RECENT FINDINGS In this review, we describe current standards for diagnosing male infertility and the various interventions offered to men in response to differential diagnoses. We then discuss recent advances in the field of genetics to identify novel etiologies for formerly unexplained infertility. SUMMARY With a specific genetic diagnosis, male factors can be addressed with appropriate reproductive counseling and with potential access to assisted reproductive technologies to improve chances of a healthy pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L. P. Schilit
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Graduate School
of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Program in Genetics and Genomics, Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Leder Human Biology and Translational Medicine Program,
Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School Genetics Training Program, Harvard
Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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35
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Araujo TF, Friedrich C, Grangeiro CHP, Martelli LR, Grzesiuk JD, Emich J, Wyrwoll MJ, Kliesch S, Simões AL, Tüttelmann F. Sequence analysis of 37 candidate genes for male infertility: challenges in variant assessment and validating genes. Andrology 2019; 8:434-441. [PMID: 31479588 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The routine genetic analysis for diagnosing male infertility has not changed over the last twenty years, and currently available tests can only determine the etiology of 4% of unselected infertile patients. Thus, to create new diagnostic assays, we must better understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms of male infertility. Although next-generation sequencing allows for simultaneous analysis of hundreds of genes and the discovery of novel candidates related to male infertility, so far only a few gene candidates have enough sound evidence to support the gene-disease relationship. OBJECTIVE Since complementary studies are required to validate genes, we aimed to analyze the presence of potentially pathogenic rare variants in a set of candidate genes related to azoospermia in a hitherto understudied South American population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We performed whole exome sequencing in a group of 16 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia from Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Based on a recent systematic review of monogenic causes of male infertility, we selected a set of 37 genes related to azoospermia, Sertoli-Cell-Only histology, and spermatogenic arrest to analyze. The identified variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing, and their functional consequence was predicted by in silico programs. RESULTS We identified potential pathogenic variants in seven genes in six patients. Two variants, c.671A>G (p.(Asn224Ser)) in DMRT1 and c.91C>T (p.(Arg31Cys)) in REC8, have already been described in association with azoospermia. We also found new variants in genes that already have moderate evidence of being linked to spermatogenic failure (TEX15, KLHL10), in genes with limited evidence (DNMT3B, TEX14) and in one novel promising candidate gene that has no evidence so far (SYCE1L). DISCUSSION Although this study included a small number of patients, the process of rationally selecting genes allowed us to detect rare potentially pathogenic variants, providing supporting evidence for validating candidate genes associated with azoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Araujo
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - C Friedrich
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - C H P Grangeiro
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - L R Martelli
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - J D Grzesiuk
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - J Emich
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - M J Wyrwoll
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - S Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - A L Simões
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - F Tüttelmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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36
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Jungnickel MK, Sutton KA, Baker MA, Cohen MG, Sanderson MJ, Florman HM. The flagellar protein Enkurin is required for mouse sperm motility and for transport through the female reproductive tract. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:789-797. [PMID: 29733335 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Enkurin was identified initially in mouse sperm where it was suggested to act as an intracellular adaptor protein linking membrane calcium influx to intracellular signaling pathways. In order to examine the function of this protein, a targeted mutation was introduced into the mouse Enkurin gene. Males that were homozygous for this mutated allele were subfertile. This was associated with lower rates of sperm transport in the female reproductive tract, including reduced entry into the oviduct and slower migration to the site of fertilization in the distal oviduct, and with poor progressive motility in vitro. Flagella from wild-type animals exhibited symmetrical bending and progressive motility in culture medium, and demembranated flagella exhibited the "curlicue" response to Ca2+ in vitro. In contrast, flagella of mice homozygous for the mutated allele displayed only asymmetric bending, nonprogressive motility, and a loss of Ca2+-responsiveness following demembrantion. We propose that Enkurin is part of a flagellar Ca2+-sensor that regulates bending and that the motility defects following mutation of the locus are the proximate cause of subfertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa K Jungnickel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Keith A Sutton
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark A Baker
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael G Cohen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael J Sanderson
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Harvey M Florman
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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Abstract
Male infertility is a multifactorial pathological condition affecting approximately 7% of the male population. The genetic landscape of male infertility is highly complex as semen and testis histological phenotypes are extremely heterogeneous, and at least 2,000 genes are involved in spermatogenesis. The highest frequency of known genetic factors contributing to male infertility (25%) is in azoospermia, but the number of identified genetic anomalies in other semen and aetiological categories is constantly growing. Genetic screening is relevant for its diagnostic value, clinical decision making, and appropriate genetic counselling. Anomalies in sex chromosomes have major roles in severe spermatogenic impairment. Autosome-linked gene mutations are mainly involved in central hypogonadism, monomorphic teratozoospermia or asthenozoospermia, congenital obstructive azoospermia, and familial cases of quantitative spermatogenic disturbances. Results from whole-genome association studies suggest a marginal role for common variants as causative factors; however, some of these variants can be important for pharmacogenetic purposes. Results of studies on copy number variations (CNVs) demonstrate a considerably higher CNV load in infertile patients than in normozoospermic men, whereas whole-exome analysis has proved to be a highly successful diagnostic tool in familial cases of male infertility. Despite such efforts, the aetiology of infertility remains unknown in about 40% of patients, and the discovery of novel genetic factors in idiopathic infertility is a major challenge for the field of androgenetics. Large, international, and consortium-based whole-exome and whole-genome studies are the most promising approach for the discovery of the missing genetic aetiology of idiopathic male infertility.
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38
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Thirumavalavan N, Gabrielsen JS, Lamb DJ. Where are we going with gene screening for male infertility? Fertil Steril 2019; 111:842-850. [PMID: 31029238 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Male infertility is a heterogenous disease process requiring the proper functioning and interaction of thousands of genes. Given the number of genes involved, it is thought that genetic causes contribute to most cases of infertility. Identifying these causes, however, is challenging. Infertility is associated with negative health outcomes, such as cancer, highlighting the need to further understand the genetic underpinnings of this condition. This paper describes the genetic and genomic tests currently available to identify the etiology of male infertility and then will discuss emerging technologies that may facilitate diagnosis and treatment of in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dolores J Lamb
- Department of Urology, Center for Reproductive Genomics and Caryle and Israel Englander, Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, New York.
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Abstract
Copy number variation (CNV) is a main cause of male infertility, yet its influence still remains elusive in that of females. To investigate the correlation between CNV and female infertility, we applied whole-genome CNV analyses by next generation Sequencing (NGS), and analyzed 324 female infertility samples in Xinjiang Province, People's Republic of China. We identified 29 CNVs in total, of which 10 were novel CNVs. We found these CNVs mostly in chromosome X. The CNVs from one sample overlapped the POF1B gene that was related to premature ovarian failure (POF). The rest of these CNVs overlapped important functional genes related to neuropathy, brain, skin and retina, and the relationship between these CNVs and fertility needs to be studied further. We also found recurrent CNVs located on Xp22.31 and 22ql 1.21 in five and three cases, respectively. Our study first identified and characterized CNVs (CNVs preference, recurrent CNVs) in female infertility, also provided genetic evidence and references for future study and infertility etiology research.
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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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Busch AS, Tüttelmann F, Cremers JF, Schubert M, Nordhoff V, Schüring AN, Zitzmann M, Gromoll J, Kliesch S. FSHB -211 G>T Polymorphism as Predictor for TESE Success in Patients With Unexplained Azoospermia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:2315-2324. [PMID: 30668782 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-02249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) followed by assisted reproductive techniques often remains the only therapeutic option for men with azoospermia due to spermatogenic failure. Reproductive parameters, such as gonadotropin levels and testicular volume or histopathology, contribute to the prediction of sperm retrieval rate (SRR) in TESE. However, there is an eminent lack of noninvasive predictive factors for TESE outcome. OBJECTIVE To clarify the impact of three common genetic variants affecting FSH and its cognate receptor on testicular histopathology patterns and SRR in TESE. DESIGN We evaluated the association of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) FSHB -211G>T (rs10835638), FSHR -29G>A (rs1394205), and FSHR c.2039A>G (rs6166) with testicular histopathology and SRR in patients with azoospermia. SETTING Tertiary referral center for andrology. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Men (n = 1075) with azoospermia who underwent TESE (grouped by clinical pathologies). INTERVENTION(S) All participants underwent TESE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Testicular histopathology, SRR, and reproductive hormone levels. RESULTS FSHB -211G>T was significantly associated with reduced chances of sperm retrieval in patients with unexplained azoospermia. Indicating an additional mechanism, the association of the SNP with SSR could not be solely attributed to decreased FSH levels. CONCLUSION A common genetic factor was significantly associated with SRR in TESE. In perspective, a calculator or score including the noninvasive parameters FSH level, testicular volume, and FSHB haplotype should be considered to estimate the chances for sperm retrieval in men with azoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Siegfried Busch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Gebäude D11, Münster, Germany
- Department of Growth and Reproduction & International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg, Münster, Germany
| | - Jann-Frederik Cremers
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University of Münster, EAA Training Center, Albert Schweitzer Campus, Germany
| | - Maria Schubert
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University of Münster, EAA Training Center, Albert Schweitzer Campus, Germany
| | - Verena Nordhoff
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Gebäude D11, Münster, Germany
| | - Andreas N Schüring
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, UKM Fertility Center, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus, Gebäude, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Zitzmann
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University of Münster, EAA Training Center, Albert Schweitzer Campus, Germany
| | - Jörg Gromoll
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Gebäude D11, Münster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University of Münster, EAA Training Center, Albert Schweitzer Campus, Germany
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42
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Cheung S, Parrella A, Rosenwaks Z, Palermo GD. Genetic and epigenetic profiling of the infertile male. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214275. [PMID: 30897172 PMCID: PMC6428317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Evaluation of reproductive quality of spermatozoa by standard semen analysis is often inadequate to predict ART outcome. Men may be prone to meiotic error and have higher proportion of spermatozoa with fragmented chromatin, capable of affecting the conceptus' health. In men with unexplained infertility, supplementary tests may be pivotal to gain insight into the paternal contribution to the zygotic genome. A total of 113 consenting men were included in the study, with an additional 5 donor specimens used as control. Among study participants, 87 were screened for sperm aneuploidy by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and ranked according to their increasing age. A total of 18 men were assessed by whole exome sequencing and categorized according to their reproductive outcome as either fertile or infertile. Another set of men (n = 13) had their gene expression analyzed by RNA-seq and were profiled according to their reproductive capacity. FISH revealed that the average aneuploidy rate was highest for men over-55 age group (9.6%), while men >55 had the highest average disomy for chromosomes 17(1.2%) and 18(1.3%). ART results for the entire cohort comprised 157 cycles, stratified by paternal age. The youngest age group (25-30 years) had a fertilization rate of 87.7% which decreased to 46.0% in the >55 age group. Clinical pregnancy rate was highest in the 25-30yr group (80.0%) while no pregnancies were attained in the >55 age groups. Pregnancy loss was characterized by a steadily increasing trend, highest in the 51-55 age group (50.0%). NGS was performed on a cohort of patients classified as having recurrent pregnancy loss. This cohort was classified as the infertile group (n = 10) and was compared to a control group (n = 8) consisting of patients successfully treated by ART. Eight couples in 17 ICSI cycles achieved a clinical pregnancy rate of 82.4% while 10 infertile couples treated in 21 cycles achieved a pregnancy rate of 23.8%, all resulting in pregnancy loss. DNA-sequencing on spermatozoa from these patients yielded overall aneuploidy of 4.0% for fertile and 8.6% for the infertile group (P<0.00001). In the infertile cohort, we identified 17 genes with the highest mutation rate, engaged in key roles of gametogenesis, fertilization and embryo development. RNA-seq was performed on patients (n = 13) with normal semen analyses. Five men unable to attain a pregnancy after ART were categorized as the infertile group, while 8 men who successfully sustained a pregnancy were established as the fertile control. Analysis resulted in 86 differentially expressed genes (P<0.001). Of them, 24 genes were overexpressed and 62 were under-expressed in the infertile cohort. DNA repair genes (APLF, CYB5R4, ERCC4 and TNRFSF21) and apoptosis-modulating genes (MORC1, PIWIL1 and ZFAND6) were remarkably under-expressed (P<0.001). Sperm aneuploidy assessment supported by information on gene mutations may indicate subtle dysfunctions of the spermatozoon. Furthermore, by querying noncoding RNA we may gather knowledge on embryo developmental competence of spermatozoa, providing crucial information on the etiology of unexplained infertility of the infertile male.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Cheung
- The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Alessandra Parrella
- The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Zev Rosenwaks
- The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Gianpiero D. Palermo
- The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Rocca MS, Di Nisio A, Sabovic I, Ghezzi M, Foresta C, Ferlin A. E2F1 copy number variations contribute to spermatogenic impairment and cryptorchidism by increasing susceptibility to heat stress. Andrology 2019; 7:251-256. [PMID: 30659775 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Copy number variations (CNVs) play an important role in the onset of several diseases, and recently research focused on the relationship between these structural variants and diseases of the reproductive tract, including male infertility and cryptorchidism. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the contribution of copy number variations of E2F1 gene to idiopathic male infertility and the factors influencing expression of this gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective study on 540 subjects recruited from September 2014 to February 2015. TaqMan CNV assay was used to analyze E2F1 CNV. Real-time PCR was used to assess E2F1 and HSP70 expression level in heat stressed and transfected cells with three E2F1 copies. RESULTS We found a significant difference in the frequency of altered E2F1 copies in patients (12/343, 3.5%) compared with controls (0/197) (p = 0.005). Six patients with E2F1 CNV had history of cryptorchidism, but the prevalence between men with idiopathic infertility (6/243, 2.5%) and infertile men with history of cryptorchidism (6/100, 6.0%) was not statistically different (p = 0.1). E2F1 expression increased under heat stress conditions, especially in cells carrying more copies of gene and this was associated with increased expression of HSP70. DISCUSSION Our data suggest that an abnormal E2F1 expression caused by multiple copies of E2F1 gene predisposes to the onset of infertility and that the risk further increases if subjects with altered E2F1 copies have stressful conditions, such as heat stress or history of cryptorchidism. CONCLUSION This study shows a link between E2F1 CNV and male infertility, suggesting that the increased risk of spermatogenic impairment associated with higher E2F1 copies might be due to higher susceptibility to stressful conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Rocca
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - A Di Nisio
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - I Sabovic
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - M Ghezzi
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - C Foresta
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - A Ferlin
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of Endocrinology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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44
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Han H, Zhang X, Zhao X, Xia X, Lei C, Dang R. Eight Y chromosome genes show copy number variations in horses. Arch Anim Breed 2018. [DOI: 10.5194/aab-61-263-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract. Copy number variations (CNVs), which represent a significant source of genetic diversity on the Y chromosome in mammals, have been shown to be associated with the development of many complex phenotypes, such as reproduction and male fertility. The occurrence of CNVs has been confirmed on the Y chromosome in horses. However, the copy numbers (CNs) of Equus caballus Y chromosome (ECAY) genes are largely unknown. To demonstrate the copy number variations of Y chromosome genes in horses, the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method was applied to measure the CNVs of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1A Y (EIF1AY), equine testis-specific transcript on Y 1 (ETSTY1), equine testis-specific transcript on Y 4 (ETSTY4), equine testis-specific transcript on Y 5 (ETSTY5), equine transcript Y4 (ETY4), ubiquitin activating enzyme Y (UBE1Y), sex determining region Y (SRY), and inverted repeat 2 Y (YIR2) across 14 Chinese domestic horse breeds in this study. Our results revealed that these eight genes were multi-copy; furthermore, some of the well acknowledged single-copy genes such as SRY and EIF1AY were found to be multi-copy in this research. The median copy numbers (MCNs) varied among different breeds for the same gene. The CNVs of Y chromosome genes showed different distribution patterns among Chinese horse breeds, indicating the impact of natural selection on copy numbers. Our results will provide fundamental information for future functional studies.
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45
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Peng H, Zhao P, Liu J, Zhang J, Zhang J, Wang Y, Wu L, Song M, Wang W. Novel Epigenomic Biomarkers of Male Infertility Identified by Methylation Patterns of CpG Sites Within Imprinting Control Regions of H19 and SNRPN Genes. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2018; 22:354-364. [PMID: 29708855 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2018.0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility is an important global health burden that can benefit from novel biomarkers and diagnostics innovation. Aberrant methylation of the imprinted genes H19 and SNRPN (small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N) in sperm DNA has been implicated in abnormal sperm parameters and male infertility. However, whether certain methylation patterns of one or multiple CpG sites within an imprinted gene are pathological for multiple sperm defects remains poorly understood. To examine the diagnostic potential of certain methylation patterns of CpG sites for multiphenotype defects in human sperm, the sperm DNA methylation patterns of individual CpG sites within imprinting control regions (ICRs) of imprinted genes H19 and SNRPN were measured by bisulfite pyrosequencing in a Han Chinese population sample: 39 oligoasthenozoospermia (OA) patients, 36 asthenoteratozoospermia (AT) patients, and 50 normozoospermia (N) controls. A partial least squares discriminant analysis model was built with the CpG sites as independent variables. Among the 16 CpG sites screened, the methylation patterns of eight CpG sites within H19-ICR (CpG sites 1, 6-9, 12 and 15-16), and eight CpG sites within SNRPN-ICR (CpG sites 2, 5-6, 8-10, 13, and 16) correctly classified 74.4% and 72.0% of the samples in terms of male fertile status, respectively. Furthermore, by combination of these 16 selected CpG sites within ICRs of H19 and SNRPN, 88.0% of the samples could be successfully classified. Our study demonstrates that methylation profiles of CpG sites within ICRs of imprinted genes H19 and SNRPN may potentially serve as epigenomic biomarkers for assessment of infertility in men with multiple sperm defects. Further studies in independent population samples are called for diagnostic significance of methylation patterns of CpG sites within imprinted genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Peng
- 1 School of Public Health, Capital Medical University , Beijing, China .,2 Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology , Beijing, China
| | - Panlin Zhao
- 3 Air Force General Hospital , PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaonan Liu
- 1 School of Public Health, Capital Medical University , Beijing, China .,2 Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology , Beijing, China
| | - Jinxia Zhang
- 1 School of Public Health, Capital Medical University , Beijing, China .,2 Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology , Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- 1 School of Public Health, Capital Medical University , Beijing, China .,2 Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology , Beijing, China
| | - Youxin Wang
- 1 School of Public Health, Capital Medical University , Beijing, China .,2 Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology , Beijing, China
| | - Lijuan Wu
- 1 School of Public Health, Capital Medical University , Beijing, China .,2 Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology , Beijing, China
| | - Manshu Song
- 1 School of Public Health, Capital Medical University , Beijing, China .,2 Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology , Beijing, China .,4 School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University , Perth, Australia
| | - Wei Wang
- 1 School of Public Health, Capital Medical University , Beijing, China .,2 Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology , Beijing, China .,4 School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University , Perth, Australia .,5 School of Public Health, Taishan Medical University , Taian, China
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46
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Krausz C, Cioppi F, Riera-Escamilla A. Testing for genetic contributions to infertility: potential clinical impact. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2018. [PMID: 29540081 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2018.1453358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Male infertility affects about 7% of the general male population, and it is a multifactorial, polygenic pathological condition. Known genetic factors, accounting for about 20-25% of male factor infertility, are present in each etiological category: i) hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction; ii) quantitative and qualitative alterations of spermatogenesis; iii) ductal obstruction/dysfunction. Areas covered: All routinely available genetic tests are described. Indication for testing for chromosomal anomalies and Y chromosome microdeletions is based on sperm count (severe oligozoospermia/azoospermia). Mutation screening in candidate genes is indicated in specific semen/testis phenotypes. In about 40% of infertile patients, the aetiology remains unknown ('idiopathic cases') and whole exome sequencing may reveal novel genetic causes. Expert commentary: Genetic testing is essential for its relevance in clinical decision-making. For instance, it helps to avoid unnecessary surgical or medical treatments and it may provide prediction for testicular sperm retrieval. The highest frequency of genetic anomalies is observed in severe spermatogenic impairment, which can be treated with in vitro fertilization (IVF). Given the risk of transmitting genetic disorders to the future offspring through IVF, the diagnosis of known and the discovery of novel genetic factors in idiopathic infertility is of outmost clinical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csilla Krausz
- a Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences Mario Serio, Sexual Medicine and Andrology Unit , University of Florence , Florence , Italy
| | - Francesca Cioppi
- a Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences Mario Serio, Sexual Medicine and Andrology Unit , University of Florence , Florence , Italy
| | - Antoni Riera-Escamilla
- b Andrology Department , Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau) , Barcelona , Spain
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47
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Tüttelmann F, Ruckert C, Röpke A. Disorders of spermatogenesis: Perspectives for novel genetic diagnostics after 20 years of unchanged routine. MED GENET-BERLIN 2018; 30:12-20. [PMID: 29527098 PMCID: PMC5838132 DOI: 10.1007/s11825-018-0181-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Infertility is a common condition estimated to affect 10-15% of couples. The clinical causes are attributed in equal parts to the male and female partners. Diagnosing male infertility mostly relies on semen (and hormone) analysis, which results in classification into the two major phenotypes of oligo- and azoospermia. The clinical routine analyses have not changed over the last 20 years and comprise screening for chromosomal aberrations and Y‑chromosomal azoospermia factor deletions. These tests establish a causal genetic diagnosis in about 4% of unselected men in infertile couples and 20% of azoospermic men. Gene sequencing is currently only performed in very rare cases of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and the CFTR gene is routinely analysed in men with obstructive azoospermia. Still, a large number of genes have been proposed to be associated with male infertility by, for example, knock-out mouse models. In particular, those that are exclusively expressed in the testes are potential candidates for further analyses. However, the genome-wide analyses (a few array-CGH, six GWAS, and some small exome sequencing studies) performed so far have not lead to improved clinical diagnostic testing. In 2017, we started to routinely analyse the three validated male infertility genes: NR5A1, DMRT1, and TEX11. Preliminary analyses demonstrated highly likely pathogenic mutations in these genes as a cause of azoospermia in 4 men, equalling 5% of the 80 patients analysed so far, and increasing the diagnostic yield in this group to 25%. Over the past few years, we have observed a steep increase in publications on novel candidate genes for male infertility, especially in men with azoospermia. In addition, concerted efforts to achieve progress in elucidating genetic causes of male infertility and to introduce novel testing strategies into clinical routine have been made recently. Thus, we are confident that major breakthroughs concerning the genetics of male infertility will be achieved in the near future and will translate into clinical routine to improve patient/couple care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12–14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Ruckert
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12–14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Albrecht Röpke
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12–14, 48149 Münster, Germany
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48
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Ji J, Qin Y, Wang R, Huang Z, Zhang Y, Zhou R, Song L, Ling X, Hu Z, Miao D, Shen H, Xia Y, Wang X, Lu C. Copy number gain of VCX, X-linked multi-copy gene, leads to cell proliferation and apoptosis during spermatogenesis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:78532-78540. [PMID: 27705943 PMCID: PMC5340235 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Male factor infertility affects one-sixth of couples worldwide, and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is one of the most severe forms. In recent years there has been increasing evidence to implicate the participation of X chromosome in the process of spermatogenesis. To uncover the roles of X-linked multi-copy genes in spermatogenesis, we performed systematic analysis of X-linked gene copy number variations (CNVs) and Y chromosome haplogrouping in 447 idiopathic NOA patients and 485 healthy controls. Interestingly, the frequency of individuals with abnormal level copy of Variable charge, X-linked (VCX) was significantly different between cases and controls after multiple test correction (p = 5.10 × 10−5). To discriminate the effect of gain/loss copies in these genes, we analyzed the frequency of X-linked multi-copy genes in subjects among subdivided groups. Our results demonstrated that individuals with increased copy numbers of Nuclear RNA export factor 2 (NXF2) (p = 9.21 × 10−8) and VCX (p = 1.97 × 10−4) conferred the risk of NOA. In vitro analysis demonstrated that increasing copy number of VCX could upregulate the gene expression and regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis. Our study establishes a robust association between the VCX CNVs and NOA risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Children Health Care, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yufeng Qin
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Rong Wang
- Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenyao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ran Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Song
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiufeng Ling
- Department of Children Health Care, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dengshun Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongbing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuncheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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49
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Colaco S, Modi D. Genetics of the human Y chromosome and its association with male infertility. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2018; 16:14. [PMID: 29454353 PMCID: PMC5816366 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-018-0330-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human Y chromosome harbors genes that are responsible for testis development and also for initiation and maintenance of spermatogenesis in adulthood. The long arm of the Y chromosome (Yq) contains many ampliconic and palindromic sequences making it predisposed to self-recombination during spermatogenesis and hence susceptible to intra-chromosomal deletions. Such deletions lead to copy number variation in genes of the Y chromosome resulting in male infertility. Three common Yq deletions that recur in infertile males are termed as AZF (Azoospermia Factor) microdeletions viz. AZFa, AZFb and AZFc. As estimated from data of nearly 40,000 Y chromosomes, the global prevalence of Yq microdeletions is 7.5% in infertile males; however the European infertile men are less susceptible to Yq microdeletions, the highest prevalence is in Americans and East Asian infertile men. In addition, partial deletions of the AZFc locus have been associated with infertility but the effect seems to be ethnicity dependent. Analysis of > 17,000 Y chromosomes from fertile and infertile men has revealed an association of gr/gr deletion with male infertility in Caucasians and Mongolian men, while the b2/b3 deletion is associated with male infertility in African and Dravidian men. Clinically, the screening for Yq microdeletions would aid the clinician in determining the cause of male infertility and decide a rational management strategy for the patient. As these deletions are transmitted to 100% of male offspring born through assisted reproduction, testing of Yq deletions will allow the couples to make an informed choice regarding the perpetuation of male infertility in future generations. With the emerging data on association of Yq deletions with testicular cancers and neuropsychiatric conditions long term follow-up data is urgently needed for infertile men harboring Yq deletions. If found so, the information will change the current the perspective of androgenetics from infertility and might have broad implication in men health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy Colaco
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, JM Street, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400012, India
| | - Deepak Modi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, JM Street, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400012, India.
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50
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Nakamura S, Miyado M, Saito K, Katsumi M, Nakamura A, Kobori Y, Tanaka Y, Ishikawa H, Yoshida A, Okada H, Hata K, Nakabayashi K, Okamura K, Ogata H, Matsubara Y, Ogata T, Nakai H, Fukami M. Next-generation sequencing for patients with non-obstructive azoospermia: implications for significant roles of monogenic/oligogenic mutations. Andrology 2018; 5:824-831. [PMID: 28718531 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Azoospermia affects up to 1% of adult men. Non-obstructive azoospermia is a multifactorial disorder whose molecular basis remains largely unknown. To date, mutations in several genes and multiple submicroscopic copy-number variations (CNVs) have been identified in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. The aim of this study was to clarify the contribution of nucleotide substitutions in known causative genes and submicroscopic CNVs in the genome to the development of non-obstructive azoospermia. To this end, we conducted sequence analysis of 25 known disease-associated genes using next-generation sequencing and genome-wide copy-number analysis using array-based comparative genomic hybridization. We studied 40 Japanese patients with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia. Functional significance of molecular alterations was assessed by in silico analyses. As a result, we identified four putative pathogenic mutations, four rare polymorphisms possibly associated with disease risk, and four probable neutral variants in 10 patients. These sequence alterations included a heterozygous splice site mutation in SOHLH1 and a hemizygous missense substitution in TEX11, which have been reported as causes of non-obstructive azoospermia. Copy-number analysis detected five X chromosomal or autosomal CNVs of unknown clinical significance, in addition to one known pathogenic Y chromosomal microduplication. Five patients carried multiple molecular alterations. The results indicate that monogenic and oligogenic mutations, including those in SOHLH1 and TEX11, account for more than 10% of cases of idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia. Furthermore, this study suggests possible contributions of substitutions in various genes as well as submicroscopic CNVs on the X chromosome and autosomes to non-obstructive azoospermia, which require further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nakamura
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pediatric Urology, Jichi Medical University, Children's Medical Center Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan
| | - M Miyado
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Saito
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Comprehensive Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Katsumi
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of NCCHD Child Health and Development, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - A Nakamura
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Kobori
- Department of Urology, Dokkyo Medical University Koshigaya Hospital, Koshigaya, Japan
| | - Y Tanaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Ichikawa, Japan
| | - H Ishikawa
- Reproduction Center, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Ichikawa, Japan
| | - A Yoshida
- Reproduction Center, Kiba Park Clinic, Tokyo, Japan
| | - H Okada
- Department of Urology, Dokkyo Medical University Koshigaya Hospital, Koshigaya, Japan
| | - K Hata
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Nakabayashi
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Okamura
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - H Ogata
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Matsubara
- National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T Ogata
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - H Nakai
- Department of Pediatric Urology, Jichi Medical University, Children's Medical Center Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan
| | - M Fukami
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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