Deletions within the azoospermia factor subregions of the Y chromosome in Hong Kong Chinese men with severe male-factor infertility: controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the patterns and the prevalence of microdeletions in the azoospermia factor subregions of the Y chromosome in Hong Kong Chinese men with severe male-factor infertility. DESIGN Controlled clinical study. SETTING Reproductive centre of a university teaching hospital, Hong Kong. PARTICIPANTS Fifty-eight men with severe male-factor infertility who participated in the in vitro fertilisation programme from May 1998 through March 1999, and 46 male volunteers with proven fertility. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Polymerase chain reaction analysis of DNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes using six loci spanning the AZFa, AZFb, and AZFc subregions of the Y chromosome. RESULTS. No microdeletions were detected in the fertile controls or in patients with obstructive azoospermia. Deletions within the AZFc subregion were found in 9% (4/44) of men with non-obstructive azoospermia or severe oligospermia. Neither AZFa nor AZFb deletions were detected in any participants. CONCLUSION Deletions within the azoospermia factor subregions of the Y chromosome are associated with severe male-factor infertility in Hong Kong Chinese men.