Analysis of Yq microdeletions in infertile males by PCR and DNA hybridization techniques

Defects in spermatogenesis have been found associated with deletions of different portions of Y chromosome long arm (Yq), suggesting the presence of the azoospermia factor in the control of spermatogenesis. We studied 67 men with idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia, cytogenetically normal, for the presence of microdeletions on Yq chromosome. By using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blotting techniques we analysed the AZFa, AZFb and AZFc loci on Yq, where deletions have been associated with defects in spermatogenesis. Deletions of a portion of the Y chromosome were detected in five patients. Four of these patients shared deletions in distal Yq11 interval 6, including the DAZ gene, while one patient lacked loci in the proximal Yq11. Testicular histology of two patients bearing distal Yq11 deletions showed two different spermatogenic defects including Sertoli cell-only (SCO) syndrome and maturation arrest, while the patient with microdeletions in the proximal Yq11 showed a SCO phenotype.