AZF microdeletions of the Y chromosome and in vitro fertilization outcome

To determine whether the presence of a Y microdeletion confers any adverse effects on in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) outcome.

Retrospective case-control study.

Academic infertility center.

A total of 17 patients with Y microdeletions who attempted IVF/ICSI cycles at our center between March 1996 and March 2002 were studied. Study patients were analyzed in two groups: those who underwent testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and those for whom ejaculated sperm was used.

The two patient study groups were matched to controls treated at the same time who had either nonobstructive severe oligozoospermia or azoospermia with normal Y chromosomes. Controls were matched for age of the female partner, sperm concentration, and number of embryos transferred.

Fertilization and clinical pregnancy rates.

Sperm was only obtained from patients with azoospermic factor (AZF)c microdeletions (and from one patient with a partial AZFb microdeletion). A trend toward lower fertilization rates in patients with Y microdeletions was noted, which did not reach statistical significance. Clinical pregnancy rates per cycle and per transfer were similar to those for controls.

Patients with AZFc microdeletions seem to have IVF/ICSI outcomes comparable to those of controls with normal Y chromosomes.