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Involvement of CFTR gene alterations in obstructive and nonobstructive infertility in men
M Ravnik-Glavac1, N Svetina, B Zorn
1Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, Vraztovtrg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. metka.ravnik-glavac@mf.uni-lj.si
Abstract:
There have not been many studies concerning CFTR gene alterations in nonobstructive causes of male infertility and subfertility, and in those that have been published, the results reported are not concordant. Therefore, we proposed to determine, in a representative unselected sample of men who were sent for microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration, if different types of male infertility and impaired fertility were associated with CFTR gene alterations. We screened 80 men with idiopathic azoospermia, 50 men with severe oligozoospermia, 70 men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, and 7 men with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD), as well as 95 controls from Slovenia, for mutations in 10 CFTR exons that include the majority of the most common cystic fibrosis (CF) disease causing mutations. We also wanted to evaluate the risk for CF in children born after the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) method of in vitro fertilization (IVF). No tested individual had mutations in both CFTR alleles. Altogether 13 different nucleotide alterations were identified. The frequencies of both CFTR gene alterations and polymorphisms did not differ significantly between the control group and men with idiopathic nonobstructive azoospermia and subfertility, but were significantly increased in men with CBAVD (DeltaF508, p = 0.039; IVS8-5T, p = 0.006). Our results suggest that CFTR mutations are not associated with errors in spermatogenesis and nonobstructive pathology of urogenital tract in men with any frequency. However, genetic counseling and CFTR mutation screening continue to be recommended for men with obstructive azoospermic conditions and their female partners.
Insights
Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulators (CFTR) gene mutations are not linked to nonobstructive male infertility. However, screening is advised for obstructive azoospermia cases.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Human Genetics
Background:
- Limited and conflicting studies exist on CFTR gene alterations in nonobstructive male infertility.
- The association between CFTR mutations and various male fertility impairments requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between CFTR gene alterations and different types of male infertility and subfertility.
- To assess the risk of cystic fibrosis (CF) in children conceived via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Main Methods:
- Screened 80 men with idiopathic azoospermia, 50 with severe oligozoospermia, 70 with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, 7 with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD), and 95 controls for CFTR mutations.
- Focused on 10 CFTR exons containing common cystic fibrosis (CF)-causing mutations.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in CFTR gene alterations or polymorphisms was found between controls and men with idiopathic nonobstructive azoospermia/subfertility.
- Significantly increased frequencies of CFTR alterations (DeltaF508, IVS8-5T) were observed in men with CBAVD.
- No individuals possessed mutations in both CFTR alleles; 13 different nucleotide alterations were identified.
Conclusions:
- CFTR mutations are not associated with spermatogenesis errors or nonobstructive urogenital tract pathologies in men.
- Genetic counseling and CFTR mutation screening are recommended for men with obstructive azoospermia and their partners.