Y chromosome AZFc microdeletion may not affect the outcomes of ICSI for infertile males with fresh ejaculated sperm

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Human Genetics
• Infertility Research

Background:

• Y chromosome microdeletions, particularly in the AZFc region, are associated with male infertility.
• Understanding the impact of these deletions on assisted reproductive technologies is crucial for patient counseling and treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of Y chromosome AZFc microdeletion on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes using fresh ejaculated sperm.
• To determine if AZFc microdeletion status influences key clinical and laboratory parameters of ICSI cycles.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective case-control study involving 143 oligozoospermic patients with Y chromosome AZFc microdeletion undergoing ICSI.
• Controls consisted of infertile men with normal Y chromosomes, matched for crucial demographic and cycle parameters.
• Comparison of various ICSI outcomes including fertilization, implantation, pregnancy, and neonatal parameters.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in clinical pregnancy rates, implantation rates, miscarriage rates, or neonatal outcomes between groups.
• Patients with Y chromosome AZFc microdeletion exhibited a statistically significant lower fertilization rate (61.8% vs. 67.8%).
• A higher rate of cleaved embryos was noted in the AZFc microdeletion group (94.0% vs. 88.1%).

Conclusions:

• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) clinical outcomes are generally comparable for oligozoospermic patients with and without Y chromosome AZFc microdeletion.
• The AZFc deletion does not appear to adversely affect the majority of ICSI results, except for a slightly lower fertilization rate.
• Routine preimplantation genetic diagnosis for Y chromosome AZFc microdeletion before ICSI may not be necessary unless vertical transmission is a specific concern.