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Y chromosome azoospermia factor region microdeletions and recurrent pregnancy loss
Abdullah Karaer1, Kadri Karaer, Gulnur Ozaksit
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr Zekai Tahir Burak Woman Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Objective:
This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Y-chromosome microdeletions in couples with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) as compared with fertile couples.
Study Design:
Forty-three men from couples with recurrent pregnancy loss, and 43 men from couples with a live birth and no history of miscarriages were recruited from Zekai Tahir Burak Woman Health, Education and Research Hospital. The DNA was tested for the presence of 4 sequence tagged sites (STSs) spanning 4 AZF regions: DYS220 (AZFb), DYS235, DYS236, and DYS237 (AZFd).
Results:
Seven (7) of the 43 men (16%) from couples with recurrent pregnancy loss had microdeletions in 1 or more of the 4 segments studied, whereas none of the fertile men had any microdeletions (P < .05). Their microdeletions were all found specifically at locus DYS 220 (AZFb).
Conclusion:
The prevalence of the Y chromosome microdeletion in AZF region was much higher in men from couples with recurrent pregnancy loss than men in fertile couples. This study showed that Y chromosome microdeletion in AZF region may be a possible etiologic factor of recurrent pregnancy loss.
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