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Mottola F, Palmieri I, Carannante M, Barretta A, Roychoudhury S, Rocco L. Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Male Infertility: Established Methodologies and Future Perspectives. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:539. [PMID: 38790168 PMCID: PMC11121722 DOI: 10.3390/genes15050539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Male fertility can be affected by oxidative stress (OS), which occurs when an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body's ability to neutralize them arises. OS can damage cells and influence sperm production. High levels of lipid peroxidation have been linked to reduced sperm motility and decreased fertilization ability. This literature review discusses the most commonly used biomarkers to measure sperm damage caused by ROS, such as the high level of OS in seminal plasma as an indicator of imbalance in antioxidant activity. The investigated biomarkers include 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine acid (8-OHdG), a marker of DNA damage caused by ROS, and F2 isoprostanoids (8-isoprostanes) produced by lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, this review focuses on recent methodologies including the NGS polymorphisms and differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis, as well as the epigenetic mechanisms linked to ROS during spermatogenesis along with new methodologies developed to evaluate OS biomarkers. Finally, this review addresses a valuable insight into the mechanisms of male infertility provided by these advances and how they have led to new treatment possibilities. Overall, the use of biomarkers to evaluate OS in male infertility has supplied innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, enhancing our understanding of male infertility mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena Mottola
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (F.M.); (I.P.); (M.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Ilaria Palmieri
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (F.M.); (I.P.); (M.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Maria Carannante
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (F.M.); (I.P.); (M.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Angela Barretta
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (F.M.); (I.P.); (M.C.); (A.B.)
| | | | - Lucia Rocco
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (F.M.); (I.P.); (M.C.); (A.B.)
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Cannarella R, Crafa A, Sawaid Kaiyal R, Kuroda S, Barbagallo F, Alamo A, Mongioì LM, Sapienza S, Condorelli RA, LA Vignera S, Calogero AE. Antioxidants for male infertility: therapeutic scheme and indications. A retrospective single-center real-life study. Minerva Endocrinol (Torino) 2024; 49:13-24. [PMID: 38240682 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-6507.23.04080-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This single-center real-life study was conducted to evaluate the most effective combination of nutraceuticals and the most appropriate indications for the treatment of male infertile patients. METHODS Infertile patients aged 20-55 years were treated with a combination of antioxidants (Androlen®; Enfarma, Misterbianco, Catania, Italy) (group A), with Androlen® (Enfarma) and a mixture of fibrinolytic molecules (Lenidase®, Enfarma) (group B), or Androlen® (Enfarma) and other molecules different from those used for the patients of the group B (group C). Patients were also subdivided according to the presence of varicocele, mild testicular hypotrophy, idiopathic infertility, and chronic male accessory gland infection. RESULTS Forty-three patients were enrolled. In the overall analysis, only progressive motility significantly improved after therapy. Subgroup analysis showed a significant increase in progressive motility, total motile sperm count (TMSC), and in the percentage of alive spermatozoa after treatment in the group A. Progressive motility improved significantly in patients with varicocele, while the TMSC in patients with varicocele and those with idiopathic infertility. The percentage of alive spermatozoa increased in patients with testicular hypotrophy. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with antioxidants increased progressive sperm motility, especially in patients with varicocele or idiopathic infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy -
- Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA -
| | - Andrea Crafa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Raneen Sawaid Kaiyal
- Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Shinnosuke Kuroda
- Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Federica Barbagallo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Angela Alamo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Laura M Mongioì
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sabrina Sapienza
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosita A Condorelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sandro LA Vignera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Aldo E Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Salehi N, Totonchi M. The construction of a testis transcriptional cell atlas from embryo to adult reveals various somatic cells and their molecular roles. J Transl Med 2023; 21:859. [PMID: 38012716 PMCID: PMC10680190 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04722-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The testis is a complex organ that undergoes extensive developmental changes from the embryonic stage to adulthood. The development of germ cells, which give rise to spermatozoa, is tightly regulated by the surrounding somatic cells. METHODS To better understand the dynamics of these changes, we constructed a transcriptional cell atlas of the testis, integrating single-cell RNA sequencing data from over 26,000 cells across five developmental stages: fetal germ cells, infants, childhood, peri-puberty, and adults. We employed various analytical techniques, including clustering, cell type assignments, identification of differentially expressed genes, pseudotime analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and evaluation of paracrine cell-cell communication, to comprehensively analyze this transcriptional cell atlas of the testis. RESULTS Our analysis revealed remarkable heterogeneity in both somatic and germ cell populations, with the highest diversity observed in Sertoli and Myoid somatic cells, as well as in spermatogonia, spermatocyte, and spermatid germ cells. We also identified key somatic cell genes, including RPL39, RPL10, RPL13A, FTH1, RPS2, and RPL18A, which were highly influential in the weighted gene co-expression network of the testis transcriptional cell atlas and have been previously implicated in male infertility. Additionally, our analysis of paracrine cell-cell communication supported specific ligand-receptor interactions involved in neuroactive, cAMP, and estrogen signaling pathways, which support the crucial role of somatic cells in regulating germ cell development. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our transcriptional atlas provides a comprehensive view of the cell-to-cell heterogeneity in the testis and identifies key somatic cell genes and pathways that play a central role in male fertility across developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najmeh Salehi
- School of Biological Science, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehdi Totonchi
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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Qureshi S, Hardy JJ, Pombar C, Berman AJ, Malcher A, Gingrich T, Hvasta R, Kuong J, Munyoki S, Hwang K, Orwig KE, Ahmed J, Olszewska M, Kurpisz M, Conrad DF, Jaseem Khan M, Yatsenko AN. Genomic study of TEX15 variants: prevalence and allelic heterogeneity in men with spermatogenic failure. Front Genet 2023; 14:1134849. [PMID: 37234866 PMCID: PMC10206016 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1134849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Human spermatogenesis is a highly intricate process that requires the input of thousands of testis-specific genes. Defects in any of them at any stage of the process can have detrimental effects on sperm production and/or viability. In particular, the function of many meiotic proteins encoded by germ cell specific genes is critical for maturation of haploid spermatids and viable spermatozoa, necessary for fertilization, and is also extremely sensitive to even the slightest change in coding DNA. Methods: Here, using whole exome and genome approaches, we identified and reported novel, clinically significant variants in testis-expressed gene 15 (TEX15), in unrelated men with spermatogenic failure (SPGF). Results: TEX15 mediates double strand break repair during meiosis. Recessive loss-of-function (LOF) TEX15 mutations are associated with SPGF in humans and knockout male mice are infertile. We expand earlier reports documenting heterogeneous allelic pathogenic TEX15 variants that cause a range of SPGF phenotypes from oligozoospermia (low sperm) to nonobstructive azoospermia (no sperm) with meiotic arrest and report the prevalence of 0.6% of TEX15 variants in our patient cohort. Among identified possible LOF variants, one homozygous missense substitution c.6835G>A (p.Ala2279Thr) co-segregated with cryptozoospermia in a family with SPGF. Additionally, we observed numerous cases of inferred in trans compound heterozygous variants in TEX15 among unrelated individuals with varying degrees of SPGF. Variants included splice site, insertions/deletions (indels), and missense substitutions, many of which resulted in LOF effects (i.e., frameshift, premature stop, alternative splicing, or potentially altered posttranslational modification sites). Conclusion: In conclusion, we performed an extensive genomic study of familial and sporadic SPGF and identified potentially damaging TEX15 variants in 7 of 1097 individuals of our combined cohorts. We hypothesize that SPGF phenotype severity is dictated by individual TEX15 variant's impact on structure and function. Resultant LOFs likely have deleterious effects on crossover/recombination in meiosis. Our findings support the notion of increased gene variant frequency in SPGF and its genetic and allelic heterogeneity as it relates to complex disease such as male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidra Qureshi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Jimmaline J. Hardy
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Christopher Pombar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Andrea J. Berman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Agnieszka Malcher
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Tara Gingrich
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Rachel Hvasta
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jannah Kuong
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sarah Munyoki
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kathleen Hwang
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kyle E. Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jawad Ahmed
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Marta Olszewska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Maciej Kurpisz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Donald F. Conrad
- Department of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Muhammad Jaseem Khan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Alexander N. Yatsenko
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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5
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Crafa A, Calogero AE, Cannarella R, Condorelli RA, Aversa A, La Vignera S. Productivity Index in Clinical Andrology: Research Directions on High-Impact Topics and in Particular on Male Infertility. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12093152. [PMID: 37176596 PMCID: PMC10179551 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12093152] [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: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Andrological diseases have an important social and economic impact as they cause a serious impairment of the quality of life of the affected patient. Epidemiologically, the impact of these disorders is progressively increasing, as demonstrated by the ever-growing prevalence of male infertility. This evidence justifies the rapid development of research in andrology that the scientific community has undertaken in recent decades. This study aims to evaluate the productivity index of the main andrological topics studied and reported in the literature. METHODS The total number of published articles was extracted from the Scopus database by entering the following keywords and mesh terms: "Male Infertility", "Erectile Dysfunction", "Premature Ejaculation", "Male Hypogonadism", "Testicular Tumors", "Prostate Cancer", "Prostatic hyperplasia", "Prostate hyperplasia", "Prostatitis", "Prostate inflammation", and "Male Accessory Gland Infections". Furthermore, a list of the top 50 researchers sorted by productivity was created for each topic. For male infertility, a further search was performed by combining the search term "male infertility" with the above-mentioned terms. Thus, a list of the top 30 authors in order of productivity was also extracted. The graphs were created using Excel. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS As could be expected, we observed that prostate cancer and male infertility were the two most investigated topics, followed by benign prostatic hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction, whose prevalence is set to increase given the progressive aging of the population. Less investigated is the inflammation of the accessory sexual glands. In conclusion, this study provides a ranking of the main andrological topics investigated in the literature, also presenting the top list of the most productive authors for each one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Crafa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Aldo Eugenio Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | | | - Antonio Aversa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Sandro La Vignera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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6
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Rodríguez-Escribà M, Rodríguez-Alonso B, Belur S, Rajkovic A. Sohlh1 loss of function male and female infertility model impacts overall health beyond gonadal dysfunction in mice†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:619-628. [PMID: 36723967 PMCID: PMC10106844 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproductive longevity is associated with health outcomes. Early menopause, loss of ovarian function, and male infertility are linked to shorter lifespan and increased adverse health outcomes. Here we examined the extragonadal effects of whole animal loss of spermatogenesis and oogenesis specific basic helix-loop-helix 1 (Sohlh1) gene in mice, a well-described mouse model of female and male infertility. Sohlh1 encodes a transcription factor that is primarily expressed in the male and female germline and regulates germline differentiation. The Sohlh1 knockout mouse model, just like human individuals with SOHLH1 loss of function, presents with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and loss of ovarian function in females and impaired spermatogenesis in males, with a seemingly gonad restricted phenotype in both sexes. However, extragonadal phenotyping revealed that Sohlh1 deficiency leads to abnormal immune profiles in the blood and ovarian tissues of female animals, sex-specific alterations of metabolites, and behavior and cognition changes. Altogether, these results show that Sohlh1 deficiency impacts overall health in both male and female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shweta Belur
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Aleksandar Rajkovic
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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7
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Calogero AE, Cannarella R, Agarwal A, Hamoda TAAAM, Rambhatla A, Saleh R, Boitrelle F, Ziouziou I, Toprak T, Gul M, Avidor-Reiss T, Kavoussi P, Chung E, Birowo P, Ghayda RA, Ko E, Colpi G, Dimitriadis F, Russo GI, Martinez M, Calik G, Kandil H, Salvio G, Mostafa T, Lin H, Park HJ, Gherabi N, Phuoc NHV, Quang N, Adriansjah R, La Vignera S, Micic S, Durairajanayagam D, Serefoglu EC, Karthikeyan VS, Kothari P, Atmoko W, Shah R. The Renaissance of Male Infertility Management in the Golden Age of Andrology. World J Mens Health 2023; 41:237-254. [PMID: 36649928 PMCID: PMC10042649 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.220213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects nearly 186 million people worldwide and the male partner is the cause in about half of the cases. Meta-regression data indicate an unexplained decline in sperm concentration and total sperm count over the last four decades, with an increasing prevalence of male infertility. This suggests an urgent need to implement further basic and clinical research in Andrology. Andrology developed as a branch of urology, gynecology, endocrinology, and, dermatology. The first scientific journal devoted to andrological sciences was founded in 1969. Since then, despite great advancements, andrology has encountered several obstacles in its growth. In fact, for cultural reasons, the male partner has often been neglected in the diagnostic and therapeutic workup of the infertile couple. Furthermore, the development of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) has driven a strong impression that this biotechnology can overcome all forms of infertility, with a common belief that having a spermatozoon from a male partner (a sort of sperm donor) is all that is needed to achieve pregnancy. However, clinical practice has shown that the quality of the male gamete is important for a successful ART outcome. Furthermore, the safety of ART has been questioned because of the high prevalence of comorbidities in the offspring of ART conceptions compared to spontaneous conceptions. These issues have paved the way for more research and a greater understanding of the mechanisms of spermatogenesis and male infertility. Consequently, numerous discoveries have been made in the field of andrology, ranging from genetics to several "omics" technologies, oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation, the sixth edition of the WHO manual, artificial intelligence, management of azoospermia, fertility in cancers survivors, artificial testis, 3D printing, gene engineering, stem cells therapy for spermatogenesis, and reconstructive microsurgery and seminal microbiome. Nevertheless, as many cases of male infertility remain idiopathic, further studies are required to improve the clinical management of infertile males. A multidisciplinary strategy involving both clinicians and scientists in basic, translational, and clinical research is the core principle that will allow andrology to overcome its limits and reach further goals. This state-of-the-art article aims to present a historical review of andrology, and, particularly, male infertility, from its "Middle Ages" to its "Renaissance", a golden age of andrology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo E Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- Global Andrology Forum, Moreland Hills, OH, USA
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Taha Abo-Almagd Abdel-Meguid Hamoda
- Department of Urology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Amarnath Rambhatla
- Department of Urology, Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ramadan Saleh
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
- Ajyal IVF Center, Ajyal Hospital, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Florence Boitrelle
- Reproductive Biology, Fertility Preservation, Andrology, CECOS, Poissy Hospital, Poissy, France
- Department of Biology, Reproduction, Epigenetics, Environment and Development, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Imad Ziouziou
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Tuncay Toprak
- Department of Urology, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Murat Gul
- Department of Urology, Selcuk University School of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Parviz Kavoussi
- Austin Fertility & Reproductive Medicine/Westlake IVF, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Eric Chung
- Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ponco Birowo
- Department of Urology, Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ramy Abou Ghayda
- Urology Institute, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Edmund Ko
- Department of Urology, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | | | - Fotios Dimitriadis
- Department of Urology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Marlon Martinez
- Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | - Gokhan Calik
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Gianmaria Salvio
- Department of Endocrinology, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Taymour Mostafa
- Department of Andrology, Sexology and STIs, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Haocheng Lin
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hyun Jun Park
- Department of Urology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
- Medical Research Institute of Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Nazim Gherabi
- Faculty of Medicine, Algiers University, Algiers, Algeria
| | | | - Nguyen Quang
- Center for Andrology and Sexual Medicine, Viet Duc University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Urology, Andrology and Sexual Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ricky Adriansjah
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran, Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Banding, Indonesia
| | - Sandro La Vignera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sava Micic
- Department of Andrology, Uromedica Polyclinic, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Damayanthi Durairajanayagam
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ege Can Serefoglu
- Department of Urology, Biruni University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Priyank Kothari
- Department of Urology, B.Y.L Nair Ch Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Widi Atmoko
- Department Department of Urology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Rupin Shah
- Division of Andrology, Department of Urology, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
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8
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Cannarella R, Bertelli M, Condorelli RA, Vilaj M, La Vignera S, Jezek D, Calogero AE. Analysis of 29 Targeted Genes for Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: The Relationship between Genetic Testing and Testicular Histology. World J Mens Health 2023; 41:422-433. [PMID: 36047072 PMCID: PMC10042652 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.220009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To analyze the presence of potentially pathogenic variants of 29 candidate genes known to cause spermatogenic failure (SPGF) in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) who underwent testicular histology. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-eight patients with unexplained NOA referred to the Department of Transfusion Medicine and Transplantation Biology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia for testicular biopsy. They were divided into three groups: those who had cryptorchidism (n=9), those with varicocele (n=14), and those with idiopathic NOA (n=25). All included patients underwent blood withdrawal for next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis and gene sequencing. RESULTS We found a possible genetic cause in 4 patients with idiopathic NOA (16%) and in 2 with cryptorchidism (22%). No pathogenic or possibly pathogenic mutations were identified in patients with varicocele. Variants of undetermined significance (VUS) were found in 11 patients with idiopathic NOA (44%), 3 with cryptorchidism (33%), and 8 patients with varicocele (57%). VUSs of the USP9Y gene were the most frequently as they were found in 14 out of 48 patients (29%). In particular, the VUS USP9Y c.7434+14del was found in 11 patients. They showed varied histological pictures, including Sertoli cell-only syndrome, mixed atrophy, and hypospermatogenesis, regardless of cryptorchidism or varicocele. No direct correlation was found between the gene mutation/variant and the testicular histological picture. CONCLUSIONS Different mutations of the same gene cause various testicular histological pictures. These results suggest that it is not the gene itself but the type of mutation/variation that determines the testicular histology picture. Based on the data presented above, it remains challenging to design a genetic panel with prognostic value for the outcome of testicular sperm extraction in patients with NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Rosita A Condorelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marija Vilaj
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Transplantation Biology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sandro La Vignera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Davor Jezek
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Transplantation Biology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Aldo E Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Guzmán-Jiménez A, González-Muñoz S, Cerván-Martín M, Rivera-Egea R, Garrido N, Luján S, Santos-Ribeiro S, Castilla JA, Gonzalvo MC, Clavero A, Vicente FJ, Maldonado V, Villegas-Salmerón J, Burgos M, Jiménez R, Pinto MG, Pereira I, Nunes J, Sánchez-Curbelo J, López-Rodrigo O, Pereira-Caetano I, Marques PI, Carvalho F, Barros A, Bassas L, Seixas S, Gonçalves J, Lopes AM, Larriba S, Palomino-Morales RJ, Carmona FD, Bossini-Castillo L. Contribution of TEX15 genetic variants to the risk of developing severe non-obstructive oligozoospermia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1089782. [PMID: 36589743 PMCID: PMC9797780 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1089782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Severe spermatogenic failure (SPGF) represents one of the most relevant causes of male infertility. This pathological condition can lead to extreme abnormalities in the seminal sperm count, such as severe oligozoospermia (SO) or non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Most cases of SPGF have an unknown aetiology, and it is known that this idiopathic form of male infertility represents a complex condition. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether common genetic variation in TEX15, which encodes a key player in spermatogenesis, is involved in the susceptibility to idiopathic SPGF. Materials and Methods: We designed a genetic association study comprising a total of 727 SPGF cases (including 527 NOA and 200 SO) and 1,058 unaffected men from the Iberian Peninsula. Following a tagging strategy, three tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TEX15 (rs1362912, rs323342, and rs323346) were selected for genotyping using TaqMan probes. Case-control association tests were then performed by logistic regression models. In silico analyses were also carried out to shed light into the putative functional implications of the studied variants. Results: A significant increase in TEX15-rs1362912 minor allele frequency (MAF) was observed in the group of SO patients (MAF = 0.0842) compared to either the control cohort (MAF = 0.0468, OR = 1.90, p = 7.47E-03) or the NOA group (MAF = 0.0472, OR = 1.83, p = 1.23E-02). The genotype distribution of the SO population was also different from those of both control (p = 1.14E-02) and NOA groups (p = 4.33-02). The analysis of functional annotations of the human genome suggested that the effect of the SO-associated TEX15 variants is likely exerted by alteration of the binding affinity of crucial transcription factors for spermatogenesis. Conclusion: Our results suggest that common variation in TEX15 is involved in the genetic predisposition to SO, thus supporting the notion of idiopathic SPGF as a complex trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Guzmán-Jiménez
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Sara González-Muñoz
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Miriam Cerván-Martín
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Rocío Rivera-Egea
- Andrology Laboratory and Sperm Bank, IVIRMA Valencia, Valencia, Spain,IVI Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nicolás Garrido
- IVI Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain,Servicio de Urología. Hospital Universitari i Politecnic La Fe e Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Saturnino Luján
- Servicio de Urología. Hospital Universitari i Politecnic La Fe e Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Samuel Santos-Ribeiro
- IVI-RMA Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José A. Castilla
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain,Unidad de Reproducción, UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología, HU Virgen de Las Nieves, Granada, Spain,CEIFER Biobanco—GAMETIA, Granada, Spain
| | - M. Carmen Gonzalvo
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain,Unidad de Reproducción, UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología, HU Virgen de Las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Clavero
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain,Unidad de Reproducción, UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología, HU Virgen de Las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - F. Javier Vicente
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain,UGC de Urología, HU Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Vicente Maldonado
- UGC de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén, Jaén, Spain
| | - Javier Villegas-Salmerón
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel Burgos
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Rafael Jiménez
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Maria Graça Pinto
- Centro de Medicina Reprodutiva, Maternidade Alfredo da Costa, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Isabel Pereira
- Departamento de Obstetrícia, Ginecologia e Medicina da Reprodução, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joaquim Nunes
- Departamento de Obstetrícia, Ginecologia e Medicina da Reprodução, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Josvany Sánchez-Curbelo
- Laboratory of Seminology and Embryology, Andrology Service-Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga López-Rodrigo
- Laboratory of Seminology and Embryology, Andrology Service-Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iris Pereira-Caetano
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Patricia Isabel Marques
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipa Carvalho
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Serviço de Genética, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alberto Barros
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Serviço de Genética, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lluís Bassas
- Laboratory of Seminology and Embryology, Andrology Service-Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Seixas
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - João Gonçalves
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,ToxOmics—Centro de Toxicogenómica e Saúde Humana, Nova Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alexandra M. Lopes
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,CGPP-IBMC—Centro de Genética Preditiva e Preventiva, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Larriba
- Human Molecular Genetics Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rogelio J. Palomino-Morales
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain,Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - F. David Carmona
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain,*Correspondence: F. David Carmona, ; Lara Bossini-Castillo,
| | - Lara Bossini-Castillo
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain,*Correspondence: F. David Carmona, ; Lara Bossini-Castillo,
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Wang Y, Liu L, Tan C, Meng G, Meng L, Nie H, Du J, Lu GX, Lin G, He WB, Tan YQ. Novel MEIOB variants cause primary ovarian insufficiency and non-obstructive azoospermia. Front Genet 2022; 13:936264. [PMID: 35991565 PMCID: PMC9388730 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.936264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Infertility is a global health concern. MEIOB has been found to be associated with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), but its variants have not been reported in Chinese patients. The aim of this study was to identify the genetic aetiology of POI or NOA in three Han Chinese families.Methods: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was used to identify candidate pathogenic variants in three consanguineous Chinese infertile families with POI or NOA. Sanger sequencing was performed to validate these variants in the proband of family I and her affected family members. In vitro functional analyses were performed to confirm the effects of these variants.Results: Two novel homozygous frameshift variants (c.258_259del and c.1072_1073del) and one novel homozygous nonsense variant (c.814C > T) in the MEIOB gene were identified in three consanguineous Han Chinese families. In vitro functional analyses revealed that these variants produced truncated proteins and affected their function.Conclusion: We identified three novel MEIOB loss-of-function variants in local Chinese patients for the first time and confirmed their pathogenicity using in vitro functional analyses. These results extend the mutation spectrum of the MEIOB gene and have important significance for genetic counselling in these families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Wang
- Hunan Guangxiu Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chen Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guiquan Meng
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Hongchuan Nie
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Guang-Xiu Lu
- Hunan Guangxiu Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Wen-Bin He
- Hunan Guangxiu Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Wen-Bin He, ; Yue-Qiu Tan,
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Hunan Guangxiu Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Wen-Bin He, ; Yue-Qiu Tan,
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11
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Li Q, Shen Y, Zhao LJ, Wang JB, Huang X. Mutations in CFTR genes are associated with oligoasthenospermia in infertile men undergoing IVF. Andrologia 2021; 54:e14355. [PMID: 34931337 DOI: 10.1111/and.14355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutation has been clearly defined in congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD), which is an important cause of obstructive azoospermia. However, the association between oligoasthenospermia and CFTR gene mutation remains controversial. To confirm this issue, 151 infertile Chinese men were screened for CFTR mutation by NGS approach, including 18 CAVD patients, 72 patients with severe oligoasthenospermia and 61 controls with normal sperm parameters. Frequency of mutation in exons of CFTR gene were 66.7% in CAVD patients (12/18) (p < 0.001) and 8.33% in severe oligoasthenospermic patients (6/72) (p < 0.05), both of which were significantly more frequent than that in the controls (0/61). In terms of introns mutation of CFTR gene, there was no significant difference in frequency of 5T between oligoasthenospermic men (5/144, 3.47%) and the controls (4/122, 3.28%) (p = 0.645). In addition, 6 novel mutations in exons of CFTR gene in this study (c.3736A>G, c.635T>G, c.482delA, c.1858C>T, c.2042A>T, c.1586A>C) have not been reported in the Cystic Fibrosis Mutation Database before. Thus, our study provides evidence that CFTR gene mutation may be the aetiology of severe oligoasthenospermia other than CAVD. It may be necessary to screen for CFTR mutations in men with severe oligoasthenospermia before receiving assisted reproductive technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Li
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shanxi Women and Children Health Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yan Shen
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shanxi Women and Children Health Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Li Jiang Zhao
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shanxi Women and Children Health Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jin Bao Wang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shanxi Women and Children Health Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiang Huang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shanxi Women and Children Health Hospital, Taiyuan, China
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12
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Ghieh F, Barbotin AL, Prasivoravong J, Ferlicot S, Mandon-Pepin B, Fortemps J, Garchon HJ, Serazin V, Leroy C, Marcelli F, Vialard F. Azoospermia and reciprocal translocations: should whole-exome sequencing be recommended? Basic Clin Androl 2021; 31:27. [PMID: 34758722 PMCID: PMC8582189 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-021-00145-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although chromosome rearrangements are responsible for spermatogenesis failure, their impact depends greatly on the chromosomes involved. At present, karyotyping and Y chromosome microdeletion screening are the first-line genetic tests for patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. Although it is generally acknowledged that X or Y chromosome rearrangements lead to meiotic arrest and thus rule out any chance of sperm retrieval after a testicular biopsy, we currently lack markers for the likelihood of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in patients with other chromosome rearrangements. Results We investigated the use of a single nucleotide polymorphism comparative genome hybridization array (SNP-CGH) and whole-exome sequencing (WES) for two patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and testicular meiotic arrest, a reciprocal translocation: t(X;21) and t(20;22), and an unsuccessful TESE. No additional gene defects were identified for the t(X;21) carrier - suggesting that t(X;21) alone damages spermatogenesis. In contrast, the highly consanguineous t(20;22) carrier had two deleterious homozygous variants in the TMPRSS9 gene; these might have contributed to testicular meiotic arrest. Genetic defect was confirmed with Sanger sequencing and immunohistochemical assessments on testicular tissue sections. Conclusions Firstly, TMPRSS9 gene defects might impact spermatogenesis. Secondly, as a function of the chromosome breakpoints for azoospermic patients with chromosome rearrangements, provision of the best possible genetic counselling means that genetic testing should not be limited to karyotyping. Given the risks associated with TESE, it is essential to perform WES - especially for consanguineous patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12610-021-00145-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Ghieh
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, F-78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.,École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, F-94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Anne-Laure Barbotin
- Institut de Biologie de la Reproduction-Spermiologie-CECOS, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Julie Prasivoravong
- Institut de Biologie de la Reproduction-Spermiologie-CECOS, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Sophie Ferlicot
- Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, AP-HP, Université Paris-Saclay, Hôpital de Bicêtre, F-94270, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Béatrice Mandon-Pepin
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, F-78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.,École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, F-94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Joanne Fortemps
- Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, CHI de Poissy/Saint-Germain-en-Laye, F-78100, Saint- Germain-en-Laye, France
| | | | - Valérie Serazin
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, F-78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.,École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, F-94700, Maisons-Alfort, France.,Département de Génétique, Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, CHI de Poissy/Saint-Germain- en-Laye, F-78300, Poissy, France
| | - Clara Leroy
- Institut de Biologie de la Reproduction-Spermiologie-CECOS, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - François Marcelli
- Institut de Biologie de la Reproduction-Spermiologie-CECOS, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - François Vialard
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, F-78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France. .,École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, F-94700, Maisons-Alfort, France. .,Département de Génétique, Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, CHI de Poissy/Saint-Germain- en-Laye, F-78300, Poissy, France.
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13
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Ghieh F, Barbotin AL, Leroy C, Marcelli F, Swierkowsky-Blanchard N, Serazin V, Mandon-Pepin B, Vialard F. Will whole-genome sequencing become the first-line genetic analysis for male infertility in the near future? Basic Clin Androl 2021; 31:21. [PMID: 34407766 PMCID: PMC8375164 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-021-00138-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Whereas the initially strategy for the genetic analysis of male infertility was based on a candidate gene approach, the development of next-generation sequencing technologies (such as whole-exome sequencing (WES)) provides an opportunity to analyze many genes in a single procedure. In order to recommend WES or whole-genome sequencing (WGS) after genetic counselling, an objective evaluation of the current genetic screening strategy for male infertility is required, even if, at present, we have to take into consideration the complexity of such a procedure, not discussed in this commentary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Ghieh
- UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Université Paris-Saclay, F-78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.,Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, F-94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Anne-Laure Barbotin
- Institut de Biologie de la Reproduction-Spermiologie-CECOS, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, F -59000, Lille, France
| | - Clara Leroy
- Institut de Biologie de la Reproduction-Spermiologie-CECOS, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, F -59000, Lille, France
| | - François Marcelli
- Institut de Biologie de la Reproduction-Spermiologie-CECOS, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, F -59000, Lille, France
| | - Nelly Swierkowsky-Blanchard
- UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Université Paris-Saclay, F-78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.,Département de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, CHI de Poissy-St Germain en Laye, F-78300, Poissy, France
| | - Valérie Serazin
- UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Université Paris-Saclay, F-78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.,Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, F-94700, Maisons-Alfort, France.,Département de Génétique, Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, CHI de Poissy-St Germain en Laye, F-78300, Poissy, France
| | - Béatrice Mandon-Pepin
- UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Université Paris-Saclay, F-78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.,Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, F-94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - François Vialard
- UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Université Paris-Saclay, F-78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France. .,Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, F-94700, Maisons-Alfort, France. .,Département de Génétique, Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, CHI de Poissy-St Germain en Laye, F-78300, Poissy, France.
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14
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Kolmykov S, Vasiliev G, Osadchuk L, Kleschev M, Osadchuk A. Whole-Exome Sequencing Analysis of Human Semen Quality in Russian Multiethnic Population. Front Genet 2021; 12:662846. [PMID: 34178030 PMCID: PMC8232892 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.662846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The global trend toward the reduction of human spermatogenic function observed in many countries, including Russia, raised the problem of extensive screening and monitoring of male fertility and elucidation of its genetic and ethnic mechanisms. Recently, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was developed as a powerful tool for genetic analysis of complex traits. We present here the first Russian WES study for identification of new genes associated with semen quality. The experimental 3 × 2 design of the WES study was based on the analysis of 157 samples including three ethnic groups—Slavs (59), Buryats (n = 49), and Yakuts (n = 49), and two different semen quality groups—pathozoospermia (n = 95) and normospermia (n = 62). Additionally, our WES study group was negative for complete AZF microdeletions of the Y-chromosome. The normospermia group included men with normal sperm parameters in accordance with the WHO-recommended reference limit. The pathozoospermia group included men with impaired semen quality, namely, with any combined parameters of sperm concentration <15 × 106/ml, and/or progressive motility <32%, and/or normal morphology <4%. The WES was performed for all 157 samples. Subsequent calling and filtering of variants were carried out according to the GATK Best Practices recommendations. On the genotyping stage, the samples were combined into four cohorts: three sets corresponded to three ethnic groups, and the fourth set contained all the 157 whole-exome samples. Association of the obtained polymorphisms with semen quality parameters was investigated using the χ2 test. To prioritize the obtained variants associated with pathozoospermia, their effects were determined using Ensembl Variant Effect Predictor. Moreover, polymorphisms located in genes expressed in the testis were revealed based on the genomic annotation. As a result, the nine potential SNP markers rs6971091, rs557806, rs610308, rs556052, rs1289658, rs278981, rs1129172, rs12268007, and rs17228441 were selected for subsequent verification on our previously collected population sample (about 1,500 males). The selected variants located in seven genes FAM71F1, PPP1R15A, TRIM45, PRAME, RBM47, WDFY4, and FSIP2 that are expressed in the testis and play an important role in cell proliferation, meiosis, and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semyon Kolmykov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.,Department of Computational Biology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Gennady Vasiliev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Ludmila Osadchuk
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Maxim Kleschev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alexander Osadchuk
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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15
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Precone V, Notarangelo A, Marceddu G, D'Agruma L, Cannarella R, Calogero AE, Cristofoli F, Guerri G, Paolacci S, Castori M, Bertelli M. A simultaneous next-generation sequencing approach to the diagnosis of couple infertility. Minerva Endocrinol (Torino) 2021; 47:4-10. [PMID: 33988008 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-6507.21.03477-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility is a disorder of the male and/or female reproductive system, characterized by failure to establish a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. On a world basis, about one in six couplesare affected by infertility during their reproductive lifespan. Despite a comprehensive diagnostic work-up, infertility in about 50% of couples remains idiopathic. In this context, a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach has been suggested to increase diagnostic yield. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a custom-made NGS gene panel for the simultaneous genetic diagnosis of both partners of a large population of infertile couples. METHODS We developed a custom-made NGS panel for 229 genes associated with male and female infertility. The panel targeted exons and their flanking regions and was used to screen 99 couples with idiopathic infertility. RESULTS NGS sequencing revealed five pathogenic variants in six couples and 17 likely pathogenic variants or variants with uncertain significance (VUS). The pathogenic variants were identified in the following genes: GNRHR, CCDC39, DNAH5, and CCDC103; likely pathogenic variants were identified in TAC3, PROKR2, and CFTR; VUS were identified in CATSPER2, FGFR1, LRRC6, DNAH5, DNAH11, TGFBR3, and DNAI1. CONCLUSIONS The panel of genes designed for this study allowed the identification of pathogenetic gene mutations and the presence of VUS in 6.1% and 17.2%, respectively, of couples with idiopathic infertility. This is the first study to successfully apply an NGS-based genetic screening including 229 genes known to play a role in both male and female infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angelantonio Notarangelo
- Division of Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Leonardo D'Agruma
- Division of Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Aldo E Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Marco Castori
- Division of Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Matteo Bertelli
- MAGI Euregio, Bolzano, Italy.,MAGI'S LAB, Rovereto, Trento, Italy
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16
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Levkova M, Chervenkov T, Hachmeriyan M, Angelova L. CFTR gene variants as a reason for impaired spermatogenesis: a pilot study and a Meta-analysis of published data. HUM FERTIL 2021; 25:728-737. [PMID: 33719834 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2021.1900608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing data that IVS8-5T variand and TG repeats could lead to impaired spermatogenesis. To investigate this we performed Sanger sequencing on 50 Bulgarian men with a sperm count below 5 × 106/mL and 20 normal fertile men. Frequencies of the results were compared among the two groups. A meta-analysis was perfomed by using the data for 6,423 patients and 5,834 control subjects, tested for the IVS8-5T polymorphism. One case subject (2.0%) was homozygote for the 5 T/5T variant whereas two (4.0%) were heterozygotes for the 5 T/7T variant. No 5 T alleles were found in the control group. The genotypes of the two groups showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.04, α < 0.05). Also, the odds ratio was 3.73, but this was unsignificant (p = 0.38). All control subjects had 11 TG repeats and for the test group: 47 (94.0%) men with 11 TG repeats and three (6.00%) with 10 TG repeats. Fisher's test showed no significant difference (p = 0.55). The meta-analysis showed that IVS8-5T variant was a risk factor for impaired spermatogenesis (OR = 2.84, p < 0.05) and this was more prominent for non-European (OR = 4.50, p < 0.05) compared to European (OR = 1.28, p < 0.05) men. The IVS8 - 5 T variant could be associated with disorders of sperm production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya Levkova
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University Varna, Varna, Bulgaria.,Laboratory of Medical Genetics, St. Marina Hospital, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Trifon Chervenkov
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University Varna, Varna, Bulgaria.,Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, St. Marina Hospital, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Mari Hachmeriyan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University Varna, Varna, Bulgaria.,Laboratory of Medical Genetics, St. Marina Hospital, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Lyudmila Angelova
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
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17
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Okutman O, Tarabeux J, Muller J, Viville S. Evaluation of a Custom Design Gene Panel as a Diagnostic Tool for Human Non-Syndromic Infertility. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12030410. [PMID: 33809228 PMCID: PMC7999157 DOI: 10.3390/genes12030410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a global healthcare problem, which affects men and women equally. With the advance of genome-wide analysis, an increasing list of human genes involved in infertility is now available. In order to evaluate the diagnostic interest to analyze these genes, we have designed a gene panel allowing the analysis of 51 genes involved in non-syndromic human infertility. In this initial evaluation study, a cohort of 94 non-syndromic infertility cases with a well-defined infertility phenotype was examined. Five patients with previously known mutations were used as positive controls. With a mean coverage of 457×, and 99.8% of target bases successfully sequenced with a depth coverage over 30×, we prove the robustness and the quality of our panel. In total, we identified pathogenic or likely pathogenic variations in eight patients (five male and three female). With a diagnostic yield of 8.5% and the identification of a variety of variants including substitution, insertion, deletion, and copy number variations, our results demonstrate the usefulness of such a strategy, as well as the efficiency and the quality of this diagnostic gene panel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Okutman
- IPPTS, Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France;
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique UF de génétique de l’infertilité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Julien Tarabeux
- Laboratoires de Diagnostic Génétique, UF de Génétique Moléculaire, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (J.T.); (J.M.)
| | - Jean Muller
- Laboratoires de Diagnostic Génétique, UF de Génétique Moléculaire, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (J.T.); (J.M.)
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale, INSERM, UMRS_1112, Institut de Génétique Médicale d’Alsace (IGMA), Université de Strasbourg Faculté de Médecine de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Unité Fonctionnelle de Bioinformatique Médicale Appliquée au Diagnostic (UF7363), Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Stéphane Viville
- IPPTS, Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France;
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique UF de génétique de l’infertilité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Correspondence:
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18
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Clinical Evaluation of a Custom Gene Panel as a Tool for Precision Male Infertility Diagnosis by Next-Generation Sequencing. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10100242. [PMID: 33076341 PMCID: PMC7602585 DOI: 10.3390/life10100242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Up to 15% of couples are infertile and male factor infertility accounts for approximately 50% of these cases. Male infertility is a multifactorial pathological condition. The genetic of male infertility is very complex and at least 2000 genes are involved in its etiology. Genetic testing by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies can be relevant for its diagnostic value in male infertile patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to implement the diagnostic offer with the use of an NGS panel for the identification of genetic variants. METHODS We developed an NGS gene panel that we used in 22 male infertile patients. The panel consisted of 110 genes exploring the genetic causes of male infertility; namely spermatogenesis failure due to single-gene mutations, central hypogonadism, androgen insensitivity syndrome, congenital hypopituitarism, and primary ciliary dyskinesia. RESULTS NGS and a subsequent sequencing of the positive pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, 5 patients (23%) were found to have a molecular defect. In particular, pathogenic variants were identified in TEX11, CCDC39, CHD7, and NR5A1 genes. Moreover, 14 variants of unknown significance and 7 novel variants were found that require further functional studies and family segregation. CONCLUSION This extended NGS-based diagnostic approach may represent a useful tool for the diagnosis of male infertility. The development of a custom-made gene panel by NGS seems capable of reducing the proportion of male idiopathic infertility.
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19
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Cannarella R, Barbagallo F, Crafa A, La Vignera S, Condorelli RA, Calogero AE. Seminal Plasma Transcriptome and Proteome: Towards a Molecular Approach in the Diagnosis of Idiopathic Male Infertility. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197308. [PMID: 33022946 PMCID: PMC7582752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
As the “-omic” technology has largely developed, its application in the field of medical science seems a highly promising tool to clarify the etiology, at least in part, of the so-called idiopathic male infertility. The seminal plasma (SP) is made-up of secretions coming from the male accessory glands, namely epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate. It is not only a medium for sperm transport since it is able to modulate the female reproductive environment and immunity, to allow the acquisition of sperm competence, to influence the sperm RNA content, and even embryo development. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an updated and comprehensive description of the main transcripts and proteins reported by transcriptome and proteome studies performed in the human SP of patients with idiopathic infertility, in the attempt of identifying possible candidate molecular targets. We recurrently found that micro RNA (miR)-34, miR-122, and miR-509 are down-regulated in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and oligozoospermia compared with fertile controls. These molecules may represent interesting targets whose predictive role in testicular sperm extraction (TESE) or assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcome deserves further investigation. Furthermore, according to the available proteomic studies, ECM1, TEX101, lectingalactoside-binding andsoluble 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP) have been reported as accurate predictors of TESE outcome. Interestingly, ECM1 is differently expressed in patients with different ART outcomes. Further prospective, ample-sized studies are needed to validate these molecular targets that will help in the counseling of patients with NOA or undergoing ART.
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20
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Precone V, Cannarella R, Paolacci S, Busetto GM, Beccari T, Stuppia L, Tonini G, Zulian A, Marceddu G, Calogero AE, Bertelli M. Male Infertility Diagnosis: Improvement of Genetic Analysis Performance by the Introduction of Pre-Diagnostic Genes in a Next-Generation Sequencing Custom-Made Panel. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:605237. [PMID: 33574797 PMCID: PMC7872015 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.605237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility affects about 7% of the general male population. The underlying cause of male infertility is undefined in about 50% of cases (idiopathic infertility). The number of genes involved in human spermatogenesis is over two thousand. Therefore, it is essential to analyze a large number of genes that may be involved in male infertility. This study aimed to test idiopathic male infertile patients negative for a validated panel of "diagnostic" genes, for a wide panel of genes that we have defined as "pre-diagnostic." METHODS We developed a next-generation sequencing (NGS) gene panel including 65 pre-diagnostic genes that were used in 12 patients who were negative to a diagnostic genetic test for male infertility disorders, including primary spermatogenic failure and central hypogonadism, consisting of 110 genes. RESULTS After NGS sequencing, variants in pre-diagnostic genes were identified in 10/12 patients who were negative to a diagnostic test for primary spermatogenic failure (n = 9) or central hypogonadism (n = 1) due to mutations of single genes. Two pathogenic variants of DNAH5 and CFTR genes and three uncertain significance variants of DNAI1, DNAH11, and CCDC40 genes were found. Moreover, three variants with high impact were found in AMELY, CATSPER 2, and ADCY10 genes. CONCLUSION This study suggests that searching for pre-diagnostic genes may be of relevance to find the cause of infertility in patients with apparently idiopathic primary spermatogenic failure due to mutations of single genes and central hypogonadism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Gian Maria Busetto
- Department of Urology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Beccari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Liborio Stuppia
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Gerolamo Tonini
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy
| | | | | | - Aldo E. Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Matteo Bertelli
- MAGI EUREGIO, Bolzano, Italy
- MAGI’S LAB, Rovereto, Italy
- EBTNA-LAB, Rovereto, Italy
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