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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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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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