Y chromosome microdeletion in patients with idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia

Objective:To investigate the microdeletions of Y chromosome in patients with idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia and establish a susceptible and simple method for screening Y chromosome microdeletions in infertile men.Methods:The microdeletions of YRRM1 gene, DAZ gene and DYS1 gene on Y chromosome were detected by using the real-time fluorescent PCR in 65 patients with idiopathic azoospermia, 27 patients with severe oligozoospermia.Results:In 3 of 65 cases with idiopathic azoospermia and 1 of 27 cases with severe oligozoospermia, the microdeletion of YRRM1gene was found; In 5 of 65 and 2 of 27, the microdeletion of DAZ gene was found.However, in all case, the microdeletion of DYS1 gene was not detected.Conclusions:Microdeletions on the Y chromosome, especially YRRM1 and DAZ gene, may be a major cause of idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. The real-time fluorescent PCR provides an available method for screening Y-chromosome microdeletions in infertile men.