Abstract

AZFC DELETION ASSIGNMENT IN FERTILE MALE

Safaa M. Al-Taei*

ABSTRACT

Background: Infertility due to male factor, is considered as a major contributor in the prevalence picture of the infertility in the world. Spermatogenic process & its products are considered the backbone of male fertility. This process is directly related to the genes expression which are located on the long arm of Y-chromosome (Yq). These genes are occupy the three AZF (Azoospermia factors;AZFa,AZFb and AZFc) regions which proved to be a hot spot for deletion mutations. AZFc intervals deletion is the most prominent deletion with less penetrance that ranging from mild oligospermia to moderate oligospermia. Objectives: to assess AZFc deletion correlation with male fertility status and to evaluate the rate of AZFc deletion within primary fertile males population. Method: cross sectional study was adopted to select 110 child fathering fertile males who are subjected for conventional infertility investigations and molecular genetic analysis (AZFc deletion). Results: sixteenth cases (16/110 (14.5%)) shows poor semen parameters (oligospermia) but with normal genetic analysis (no AZFc deletion). one case out of which (1/16 (6.25%)) complaining of secondary infertility. 5 cases (5/110(4.5%)) shows AZFc deletion with variable range of oligospermia. 4(4/5(80%) out of which complaining secondary infertility but with primary fertile status (fathering a child). Conclusion: These results denoting that, AZFc delation mostly associated with spermatogenic failure (oligospermia) but not necessarily with absolute male infertility.

Keywords: fertility, Male infertility, AZF deletion, oligospermia and Azoospermia.