Aberrations in pseudoautosomal regions (PARs) found in infertile men with Y-chromosome microdeletions

The pseudoautosomal regions (PARs) of the Y-chromosome undergo meiotic recombination with the X-chromosome. PAR mutations are associated with infertility and mental and stature disorders.

The aim of the study was to determine whether men with Y-chromosome microdeletions have structural defects in PARs.

Eighty-seven infertile men with Y-chromosome microdeletions and 35 controls were evaluated for chromosomal rearrangements using commercial or custom (X- and Y-chromosome) array comparative genomic hybridization or by quantitative PCR of selected PAR genes. Multisoftware-defined chromosomal gains or losses were validated by quantitative PCR and FISH.

Array comparative genomic hybridization confirmed the AZF deletions identified by multiplex PCR. All men with Y-chromosome microdeletions and an abnormal karyotype displayed PAR abnormalities, as did 10% of men with Y-chromosome microdeletions and a normal karyotype. None of the control subjects or infertile men without Y-chromosome microdeletions had PAR duplications or deletions. SHOX aberrations occurred in 14 men (nine gains and five losses); four were short in stature (<10th percentile), and one was tall (>95th percentile). In contrast, the height of 23 men with Y-chromosome microdeletions and normal PARs was average at 176.8 cm (50th percentile).

Y-chromosome microdeletions can include PAR defects causing genomic disorders such as SHOX, which may be transmitted to offspring. Previously unrecognized PAR gains and losses in men with Y-chromosome microdeletions may have consequences for offspring.