AZFc deletion assignment in fertile male

Abstract

Background:  Infertility due to male factor, is considered as a major contributor in the prevalence picture of the infertility in the world. Spermatogenic process & its products are considered the backbone of male fertility. This process is directly related to the genes expression which are located on the long arm of Y-chromosome (Yq). These genes are occupy the three AZF (Azoospermia factors;AZFa,AZFb and AZFc) regions which proved to be a hot spot for deletion mutations. AZFc intervals deletion is the most prominent deletion with less penetrance that ranging from mild oligospermia to moderate oligospermia. To assess AZFc deletion correlation with male fertility status and to evaluate the rate of AZFc deletion within primary fertile males population. Cross sectional study was adopted to select 110 child fathering fertile males who are subjected for conventional infertility investigations and molecular genetic analysis (AZFc deletion). Sixteenth cases (16/110 (14.5%)) shows poor semen parameters (oligospermia) but with normal genetic analysis (no AZFc deletion). one case out of which (1/16 (6.25%)) complaining of secondary infertility. 5 cases (5/110(4.5%)) shows AZFc deletion with variable range of oligospermia. 4(4/5(80%) out of which complaining secondary infertility but with primary fertile status (fathering a child). Conclusion: These results denoting that, AZFc delation mostly associated with spermatogenic failure (oligospermia) but not necessarily with absolute male infertility.