Genetics in human reproduction

Whole Exome Sequencing Identifies Genes Associated With Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

Background: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) affects nearly 1% of men; however, the landscape of the causative genes is largely unknown.

Objective: To explore the genetic etiology which is the fundamental cause of NOA, a prospective case-control study and parental–proband trio linkage analysis were performed.

Materials: A total of 133 patients with clinicopathological NOA and 343 fertile controls were recruited from a single large academic fertility center located in Northeast China; in addition, eleven trio families were available and enrolled.

Results: Whole exome sequencing-based rare variant association study between the cases and controls was performed using the gene burden association testing. Linkage analysis on the trio families was also interrogated. In total, 648 genes were identified to be associated with NOA (three of which were previously reported), out of which six novel genes were found further associated based on the linkage analysis in the trio families, and involved in the meiosis-related network.

Discussion and Conclusion: The six currently identified genes potentially account for a fraction (3.76%, 5 out of 133 patients) of the heritability of unidentified NOA, and combining the six novel genes and the three previously reported genes together would potentially account for an overall 6.77% (9 out of 133 patients) heritability of unidentified NOA in this study.

From Public Eugenics to Private Eugenics: What Does the Future Hold?

Traditional public eugenics, which was ordered by the State, has been replaced by a kind of private eugenics conducted by parents using reproductive techniques, genetic testing and, eventually in the future, genetic engineering. While traditional eugenics strived to improve the species, the new model aims to satisfy parents' reproductive aspirations. The association between public and private eugenics is an ongoing issue, mostly due to its relation to nazi eugenics. This paper will state that both are eugenics; however, with different characteristics, and thus worthy of different legal and ethical assessments. The paper will contextualize private eugenics in the framework of reproductive rights (legal and ethical perspective) and in the development of genetics and reproductive techniques (scientific perspective). Finally, it will analyze some of the legal consequences of a broader acceptance of private eugenics, namely in terms of liability and tort law. Throughout the paper, the different legal solutions in place in Europe will contextualize its considerations.

"That's Only for Women": The Importance of Educating HIV-Positive Sexual Minority Men on HPV and High Resolution Anoscopy (HRA)

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) experience disproportionately high burdens of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-associated anal cancers. Recent focus has shifted to anorectal cancer prevention through high-resolution anoscopy (HRA); however, little is known about sexual minority men's perceptions, attitudes, or beliefs regarding HRA. We conducted 4 qualitative Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) (n = 15) with sexual minority men, focusing on their beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions of undergoing HRA. Participants discussed their experiences of HPV/HRA as influenced by both their gender and sexuality, including unawareness of HPV disease as a male health issue, challenges relating to female-oriented HPV/HRA language, conception of HPV/HRA as related to prostate health, and connecting their sexual behavior identification as "bottoms" to their need for HRA. As efforts to improve HRA knowledge, access, and uptake among sexual and gender minority communities increase, special attention should be paid to language and messaging choices around HRA.