Detection of AZF gene microdeletion in Y chromosome for patients with idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia

Aim: To study the microdeletion of AZF gene in Y chromosome for the patients with idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. Methods: Microdeletion detection at the AZFa,AZFb,AZFc,SRY region of Y chromosome in 82 cases of azoospermia, 25 cases of severe oligozoospermia and 20 normal male controls was performed using the PCR technique. Results: Eleven patients with azoospermia had the AZFc microdeletion, and no deletion of AZFa, AZFb,AZFc or SRY region of Y chromosome in normal control was found. Conclusion: Microdeletion of AZFc in Y chromosome is a major cause of azoospermia leading to male infertility. It is necessary to detect the microdeletion of Y chromosome at genetic counsultation.