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The relationship between Y chromosome DNA haplotypes and Y chromosome deletions leading to male infertility.

Microdeletions on the short arm of the Y chromosome have defined three non-overlapping regions (AZFa, b, c) recurrently deleted among infertile males. These regions contain several genes or gene families involved in male germ-cell development and maintenance. Even though a meiotic origin for these microdeletions is assumed, the mechanisms and causes leading to microdeletion formation are largely unknown. In order to assess whether some Y chromosome groups (or haplogroups) are predisposed to, or protected against, deletion formation during male meiosis, we have defined and compared Y chromosome haplogroup distribution in a group of infertile/subfertile males harbouring Yq deletions and in a relevant Northwestern European control population. Our analyses suggest that Y chromosome deletion formation is, at least in the study populations, a stochastic event independent of the Y chromosome background on which they arise and may be caused by other genetic and/or environmental factors.

Chromosome Deletion↗

Prospective study of 22q11 deletion analysis in fetuses with excess nuchal translucency.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of 22q11 deletions (DiGeorge, velocardiofacial syndromes) in chromosomally normal fetuses with excess nuchal translucency. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated chorionic villus sampling (CVS) samples submitted with an indication of excess nuchal translucency. If chromosome analysis was normal, permission was obtained to perform 22q11 microdeletion fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. By Fisher exact test, the null hypothesis that there is no association between excess nuchal translucency and 22q11 deletions was tested. RESULTS: Among 239 CVS samples from fetuses with excess nuchal translucency, 93 (39%) were chromosomally abnormal. Of the remaining 146 specimens, 80 CVS samples were chromosomally normal, had documentation of nuchal translucency > 3.0 mm, and were included in the study at the referring obstetrician's request. None of the 80 fetuses with an increased nuchal translucency and normal karyotype demonstrated a 22q11 microdeletion. By Fisher exact test, the probability of 80 fetuses with excess nuchal translucency having no deletions of chromosome 22 was not significantly different than the expected rate of 0.18% (P value = 1). CONCLUSION: Routine 22q11 microdeletion analysis for fetuses with excess nuchal translucency is not indicated. Instead, we recommend storing an extra unbanded slide from the cultured CVS material to permit 22q11 FISH analysis should a cardiac malformation be identified later by fetal echocardiography.

Chorionic Villi Sampling↗

[DiGeorge syndrome, a review of 52 patients].

UNLABELLED: The deletion of chromosome 22q11.2 is involved in the majority of DiGeorge or velo-cardiofacial syndrome. The phenotypic variability was noted in the "CATCH 22" acronym. This acronym doesn't recapitulate the full spectrum of the symptoms. The diagnosis of this syndrome can be done with the prenatal diagnosis, with fetal pathology or with a child alive. METHODS: Review of 52 cases with the microdeletion 22q11. Six cases were diagnosed during the prenatal period, 12 cases at fetal pathology examination, and 34 cases during infancy. RESULTS: Cardiac malformations were the major indications (75%) to search for the microdeletion. The facial dysmorphy was difficult to diagnose during the antenatal period or in dead foetus, thereby it was not often recognized. The renal anomalies usually present in 35% of cases, were diagnosed in only 6 to 16% of the cases in our study. CONCLUSION: Phenotypic diversity of the DiGeorge syndrome is important. Its knowledge allows to better determine the indications of the research of the microdeletion. 22q11.2.

Child↗

Genomic heterogeneity and instability of the AZF locus on the human Y chromosome.

The spermatogenesis locus azoospermia factor (AZF) in Yq11 has been mapped to three microdeletion intervals designated as AZFa, AZFb, and AZFc. They are caused by intrachromosomal recombination events between large homologous repetitive sequence blocks, and AZFc microdeletions are now recognised as the most frequent known genetic lesion causing male infertility. However, in the same Y-region, large genomic heterogeneities are also observed in fertile men, and only complete AZFa and AZFb deletions are associated with a specific testicular pathology. Partial AZF deletions are associated with variable pathologies and partial AZFc deletions may even have no impact on male fertility. This suggests a genetic redundancy of the multi-copy genes in AZFb and AZFc and a causative relationship between the occurrence of first microdeletions then macrodeletions in the repetitive structure of Yq11 where large palindromes are probably promoting multiple gene conversions and AZF rearrangements.

Chromosomal Instability↗

Phenotypes in three Swedish families with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa caused by different mutations in the RPGR gene.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical phenotypes in three Swedish families with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa caused by different mutations in the RPGR gene. METHODS: Three families from different parts of Sweden, including nine patients with retinitis pigmentosa and six female carriers of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, were examined clinically. Ophthalmologic examination included kinetic perimetry with a Goldmann perimeter using standardized objects I4e and V4e, dark adaptation final thresholds with a Goldmann-Weeker adaptometer, and full-field electroretinograms. RESULTS: The clinical findings in the patients demonstrated a severe form of retinitis pigmentosa with visual handicap early in life. Patients with a microdeletion of exons 8 through 10 of the RPGR gene had a more severe phenotype compared to the patients with single base-pair mutations in the introns 10 and 13 of the RPGR gene, resulting in splicing defects. Furthermore, heterozygous carriers in these families displayed a wide spectrum of clinical features, from minor symptoms to severe visual disability. CONCLUSION: These three families show a variable clinical phenotype resulting from different mutations in the RPGR gene. A microdeletion spanning at least parts of exons 8 through 10 seems to result in a severe phenotype compared to the splice defects. Heterozygous carriers of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa with these specific RPGR genotypes also show a variability of the phenotype; carriers with the microdeletion may be severely visually handicapped.

Adolescent↗

Molecular and cytogenetic characterization of two azoospermic patients with X-autosome translocation.

PURPOSE: To report two azoospermic patients with reciprocal X-autosome translocations. METHODS: Cytogenetic analysis utilizing GTG-banding and Yq microdeletions shown by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with 12 sequence-tagged site (STS) markers for Y chromosome microdeletions. RESULTS: Cytogenetic analysis showed one man with 46,Y,t(X;19)(q22;q13.3) and the other with 46,Y,t(X;8)(p22;q11). Neither had any Yq microdeletions shown. The patient with 46,Y, t(X;8)(p22;q11) showed a slightly lower than normal testosterone level. By NCBI-Blast search, we found four testis-specific genes, t-complex-associated-testis-expressed 1-like (TCTE1L), Ferritin, heavy polypeptide-like 17 (FTHL17), Testis expressed sequence 13A (TEX13A), and Testis expressed sequence 13B (TEX13B) located near breakpoints on X chromosome. FTHL17, TEX13A, and TEX13B are spermatogonially-expressed, germ-cell-specific genes. CONCLUSION: This is the first clinical report of azoospermia with reciprocal X-autosome translocations on Xp22 and q22. These translocations on Xp22 and q22 may be direct genetic risk factors for azoospermia.

Adult↗

Imprinting centre deletions in two PWS families: implications for diagnostic testing and genetic counseling.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic syndrome involving imprinted genes on chromosome 15. It is usually sporadic, and very few affected siblings have been described. Here, we report the clinical and molecular findings in two families with a microdeletion affecting the chromosome 15 imprinting centre (IC). Carrier males have a 50% risk of having children with an imprinting defect leading to PWS, and in one of the two families, a father has two affected daughters. In the other family, diagnostic testing was confounded by the presence of a neutral microdeletion close to the IC. The silent transmission of PWS IC deletions through the female germline and the occurrence of neutral microdeletions close to the IC can impose considerable problems on diagnostic testing and genetic counselling in affected families.

Alleles↗

Genetic analysis of males from intracytoplasmic sperm injection couples.

A total of 392 men referred for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) participated in genetic analysis. The control group consisted of 100 normal fertile males. Chromosome and DNA analyses were performed to investigate the frequency of Y-chromosome microdeletions and CFTR mutations (the controls underwent DNA analysis only). An abnormal karyotype was found in 4.6% of all males, but the frequency among men with azoospermia was higher, at 11.7%. Y-chromosome microdeletions were found only among men with azoospermia (6.5%) and men with extreme oligospermia (2%). Compound heterozygosity for CFTR mutations was found in men with azoospermia (3.9%) and congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD) only. We conclude that all couples referred for ICSI should be offered chromosome analysis. DNA analysis for Y-chromosome microdeletions should be reserved for men with azoospermia or extreme oligospermia (<1 x 106 spermatozoa). Analysis for CFTR mutations should be limited to those with obstructive azoospermia or those with a family history of cystic fibrosis.

Adult↗

Idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia: a cross-sectional study in 61 Greek men.

Idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia (INOA) consists a special group of men characterized by eugonadism, primary infertility, low testicular volume, azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia and high follicle stimulating hormone values. Aims of this study were to describe the clinical, hormonal, sperm and histological characteristics of men with INOA and to define if and to what extend men with the INOA phenotype carry Y chromosome long arm (Yq) microdeletions. Sixty-three men with INOA were studied through clinical examination, spermiograms, hormonal profile, polymerase chain reaction for Yq microdeletions, karyotype and testicular fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Sixty-seven men with infertility of known causes and sixty fertile men served as controls. Men with INOA had significantly lower total testosterone levels than fertile men as well as higher prevalence of loss of libido, higher luteinizing hormone levels and lower sperm volume whereas men with infertility of known causes had intermediate values. The prevalence of Yq microdeletions was 3% in men with INOA, 3% in men with infertility of known causes (all of them with abnormal karyotype) and 0% in fertile men. In conclusion, men with INOA have more severe testiculopathy than these with infertility of known causes. These men may be at increased risk of developing partial androgen deficiency of the aging male.

Adult↗

Prenatal diagnosis of interruption of the aortic arch and its association with deletion of chromosome 22q11.

OBJECTIVES: Differentiation of interruption of the aortic arch (IAA) type A from type B by prenatal echocardiography is possible but difficult. We report nine consecutive cases of the prenatal detection of IAA and evaluate the feasibility of making a correct prenatal diagnosis with fetal echocardiography. The incidence of 22q11 microdeletion in our series, detected using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, was determined. METHODS: Echocardiography and FISH for the DiGeorge critical region (22q11) were performed in all cases. The findings were confirmed by autopsy (three cases) or at postnatal surgery (six cases). RESULTS: On fetal echocardiography we identified six type B cases and three type A. FISH detected microdeletions in 22q11 in five of nine fetuses (four type B cases and an unusual association with type A in one case). CONCLUSIONS: Our report confirms the feasibility of making a correct prenatal diagnosis of IAA and its different types, based on echocardiographic examination. Furthermore our data are consistent with previous reports indicating that type A and type B are distinct entities. In more than 50% of fetuses with IAA type B, 22q11 microdeletion and DiGeorge or velo-cardio-facial syndromes may be expected. IAA type A is not commonly associated with 22q11 hemizygosity.

Aorta, Thoracic↗

Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and persistent airway hyperresponsiveness.

OBJECTIVE: We and others have observed significant hyperinflation and airflow obstruction after the surgical repair of pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect. This study sought to objectively characterize this problem and determine the prevalence of airway hyperresponsiveness in these patients. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of children and young adults with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect between June 1996 and December 1998. The participants were stratified into 2 distinct molecular genotypes on the basis of chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion. A clinical diagnosis of asthma and an objective assessment of airway hyperresponsiveness were determined by means of an asthma inventory scale and methacholine challenge testing, respectively. Thirty-three patients were enrolled. Thirteen had velocardiofacial syndrome, each with chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion. RESULTS: None of the nonsyndromic patients had evidence for haploinsufficiency. Overall, 66.7% (22/33) met criteria for a clinical diagnosis of airway hyperresponsiveness: 62% (8/13) from the microdeletion genotype and 70% (14/20) from the nonsyndromic group. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified an extremely strong association between pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect and persistent airway hyperresponsiveness. Haploinsufficiency at chromosome 22q11.2 did not contribute to this predilection for airway hyperresponsiveness. These results provide a basis to anticipate persistent respiratory difficulties after operations in patients with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect. Moreover, this at-risk patient population may yield unique insights into fundamental mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of airway hyperresponsiveness.

Adolescent↗

Array-based comparative genomic hybridization for the genomewide detection of submicroscopic chromosomal abnormalities.

Microdeletions and microduplications, not visible by routine chromosome analysis, are a major cause of human malformation and mental retardation. Novel high-resolution, whole-genome technologies can improve the diagnostic detection rate of these small chromosomal abnormalities. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization allows such a high-resolution screening by hybridizing differentially labeled test and reference DNAs to arrays consisting of thousands of genomic clones. In this study, we tested the diagnostic capacity of this technology using approximately 3,500 flourescent in situ hybridization-verified clones selected to cover the genome with an average of 1 clone per megabase (Mb). The sensitivity and specificity of the technology were tested in normal-versus-normal control experiments and through the screening of patients with known microdeletion syndromes. Subsequently, a series of 20 cytogenetically normal patients with mental retardation and dysmorphisms suggestive of a chromosomal abnormality were analyzed. In this series, three microdeletions and two microduplications were identified and validated. Two of these genomic changes were identified also in one of the parents, indicating that these are large-scale genomic polymorphisms. Deletions and duplications as small as 1 Mb could be reliably detected by our approach. The percentage of false-positive results was reduced to a minimum by use of a dye-swap-replicate analysis, all but eliminating the need for laborious validation experiments and facilitating implementation in a routine diagnostic setting. This high-resolution assay will facilitate the identification of novel genes involved in human mental retardation and/or malformation syndromes and will provide insight into the flexibility and plasticity of the human genome.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Human Y chromosome azoospermia factors (AZF) mapped to different subregions in Yq11.

In a large collaborative screening project, 370 men with idiopathic azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia were analysed for deletions of 76 DNA loci in Yq11. In 12 individuals, we observed de novo microdeletions involving several DNA loci, while an additional patient had an inherited deletion. They were mapped to three different subregions in Yq11. One subregion coincides to the AZF region defined recently in distal Yq11. The second and third subregion were mapped proximal to it, in proximal and middle Yq11, respectively. The different deletions observed were not overlapping but the extension of the deleted Y DNA in each subregion was similar in each patient analysed. In testis tissue sections, disruption of spermatogenesis was shown to be at the same phase when the microdeletion occurred in the same Yq11 subregion but at a different phase when the microdeletion occurred in a different Yq11 subregion. Therefore, we propose the presence of not one but three spermatogenesis loci in Yq11 and that each locus is active during a different phase of male germ cell development. As the most severe phenotype after deletion of each locus is azoospermia, we designated them as: AZFa, AZFb and AZFc. Their probable phase of function in human spermatogenesis and candidate genes involved will be discussed.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Anti-nuclear antibodies in patients with premature ovarian failure.

We examined the prevalence of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) in 32 consecutive patients with premature ovarian failure with and without chromosomal abnormalities. Blood samples were taken for karyotype determination as well as detection of autoantibodies, X-terminal microdeletions and spontaneous follicular growth. The correlation between ANA positivity and the age at onset of amenorrhoea, as well as the presence of karyotype abnormalities, X-terminal microdeletions and follicular growth was determined. Ten of the 24 patients with normal karyotype and none of the 8 patients with karyotype abnormalities were ANA positive. ANA were found more frequently in patients with premature ovarian failure with normal karyotypes than in control amenorrhoeic patients (42 versus 6, P < 0.01). ANA were found in 77% (10/13) of premature ovarian failure patients with normal karyotypes who developed amenorrhoea at or under the age of 30 years, but not in the patients who developed amenorrhoea later in life. Follicular growth was evident in 50% (5/10) of karyotypically normal patients with ANA, 71% (10/14) of karyotypically normal patients without ANA and 38% (3/8) of patients with karyotype abnormalities. X-terminal microdeletions were not found in any of the patients studied. These results suggest that patients with premature ovarian failure and ANA are an aetiologically and clinically distinct group.

Adult↗

Human male infertility and Y chromosome deletions: role of the AZF-candidate genes DAZ, RBM and DFFRY.

Microdeletions in Yq11 overlapping three distinct 'azoospermia factors' (AZFa-c) represent the aetiological factor of 10-15% of idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia, with higher prevalence in more severe testiculopathies, such as Sertoli cell-only syndrome. Using a PCR-based screening, we analysed Yq microdeletions in 180 infertile patients affected by idiopathic Sertoli cell-only syndrome and different degrees of hypospermatogenesis, compared with 50 patients with known causes of testicular alteration, 30 with obstructive azoospermia, and 100 normal fertile men. In idiopathic severe testiculopathies (Sertoli cell-only syndrome and severe hypospermatogenesis), a high prevalence of microdeletions (34.5% and 24.7% respectively) was found, while milder forms were not associated with Yq alteration. No deletions were found in testiculopathies of known aetiology, obstructive azoospermia, normal fertile men and male relatives of patients with deletions. Deletions in the AZFc region involving the DAZ gene were the most frequent finding and they were more often observed in severe hypospermatogenesis than in Sertoli cell-only syndrome, suggesting that deletions of this region are not sufficient to cause complete loss of the spermatogenic line. Deletions in AZFb involving the RBM gene were less frequently detected and there was no correlation with testicular phenotype, with an apparent minor role for such gene in spermatogenesis. The DFFRY gene was absent in a fraction of patients, making it a candidate AZFa gene. Our data suggest that larger deletions involving more than one AZF-candidate gene are associated with a more severe testicular phenotype.

Chromosome Deletion↗

Sex chromosome mosaicism in males carrying Y chromosome long arm deletions.

Microdeletions of the long arm of the Y chromosome (Yq) are a common cause of male infertility. Since large structural rearrangements of the Y chromosome are commonly associated with a 45,XO/46,XY chromosomal mosaicism, we studied whether submicroscopic Yq deletions could also be associated with the development of 45,XO cell lines. We studied blood samples from 14 infertile men carrying a Yq microdeletion as revealed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 6), in which karyotype analysis demonstrated a 45,X/46,XY mosaicism, and group 2 (n = 8) with apparently a normal 46,XY karyotype. 45,XO cells were identified by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) using X and Y centromeric probes. Lymphocytes from 11 fertile men were studied as controls. In addition, sperm cells were studied in three oligozoospermic patients in group 2. Our results showed that large and submicroscopic Yq deletions were associated with significantly increased percentages of 45,XO cells in lymphocytes and of sperm cells nullisomic for gonosomes, especially for the Y chromosome. Moreover, two isodicentric Y chromosomes, classified as normal by cytogenetic methods, were detected. Therefore, Yq microdeletions may be associated with Y chromosomal instability leading to the formation of 45,XO cell lines.

Adult↗

Genetic risk factors in infertile men with severe oligozoospermia and azoospermia.

BACKGROUND: Male infertility due to severe oligozoospermia and azoospermia has been associated with a number of genetic risk factors. METHODS: In this study 150 men from couples requesting ICSI were investigated for genetic abnormalities, such as constitutive chromosome abnormalities, microdeletions of the Y chromosome (AZF region) and mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. RESULTS: Genetic analysis identified 16/150 (10.6%) abnormal karyotypes, 8/150 (5.3%) AZFc deletions and 14/150 (9.3%) CFTR gene mutations. An abnormal karyotype was found both in men with oligozoospermia and azoospermia: 9 men had a sex-chromosomal aneuploidy, 6 translocations were identified and one marker chromosome was found. Y chromosomal microdeletions were mainly associated with male infertility, due to testicular insufficiency. All deletions identified comprised the AZFc region, containing the Deleted in Azoospermia (DAZ) gene. CFTR gene mutations were commonly seen in men with congenital absence of the vas deferens, but also in 16% of men with azoospermia without any apparent abnormality of the vas deferens. CONCLUSIONS: A genetic abnormality was identified in 36/150 (24%) men with extreme oligozoospermia and azoospermia. Application of ICSI in these couples can result in offspring with an enhanced risk of unbalanced chromosome complement, male infertility due to the transmission of a Y-chromosomal microdeletion, and cystic fibrosis if both partners are CFTR gene mutation carriers. Genetic testing and counselling is clearly indicated for these couples before ICSI is considered.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Natural transmission of a partial AZFb deletion of the Y chromosome over three generations: case report.

The natural transmission of microdeletions of the Y chromosome is occasionally reported in the literature. Here we describe the natural transmission of a partial AZFb deletion over three generations. PCR amplification of several sequence tagged site markers in the three AZF regions of the Y chromosome was carried out in a patient with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, his father and his naturally conceived son. The deletion was confirmed by Southern blotting. The propositum, his father and his son showed a probably identical, partial deletion of the distal part of the AZFb region, involving sY130 and sY143. The deletion was confirmed by Southern blotting using the sY130 probe. Partial AZFb microdeletions can be associated with moderate oligozoospermia allowing natural conception and therefore natural transmission of this genetic anomaly. Further studies are needed to define the pathogenetic significance of microdeletions involving sY130 and sY143.

Adult↗