background: deletions of the daz (deleted in azoospermia) genes within the human y chromosome's azfc region are the most common cause of spermatogenesis failure. these deletions are usually assessed by analyses of genomic dna ex­tracted from peripheral leukocytes. daz genes are expressed in male germ cells. in this prospective study, we investigated daz expression and deletion in 102 consecutiv...

it is now agreed that 10-25% of infertile men with azoospermia have submicroscopic deletions of the y chromosome long ann (yq), consistent with the proposed location of the azoospermia locus (azf) in yq 11.23. however, it is not known whether yq microdeletions are unique to men with azoospermia or whether they are also observed in infertile men with less severe defects of spermatogenesis (oligo...

It is now agreed that 10-25% of infertile men with azoospermia have submicroscopic deletions of the Y chromosome long ann (yq), consistent with the proposed location of the azoospermia locus (AZF) in Yq 11.23. However, it is not known whether Yq microdeletions are unique to men with azoospermia or whether they are also observed in infertile men with less severe defects of spermatogenesis (o...

The DAZLA (DAZ Like Autosomal) gene on human chromosome 3 shares a high degree of homology with the DAZ (Deleted in AZoospermia) gene family on the Y chromosome, a gene family frequently deleted in males with azoospermia or severe oligospermia. The involvement of both DAZ and DAZLA in spermatogenesis is suggested by their testis-specific expression and their homology with a Drosophila male infe...

Polymorphisms in genes involved in spermatogenesis are considered potential risk factors for male infertility. Recently a polymorphism in the deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL) gene (T54A) was reported as susceptibility factor to oligo/azoospermia in the Chinese population. DAZL is an autosomal homologue of the Y chromosomal DAZ (deleted in azoospermia) gene cluster and both are considered mast...

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 ...

INTRODUCTION Although assisted reproduction techniques are used extensively in Iran, screening for Y chromosome microdeletions before intracytoplasmic sperm injection is often undervalued. Our aim was to investigate Y chromosome microdeletions in men with idiopathic azoospermia or severe oligospermia. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 99 selected patients with azoospermia or severe oligospermia and el...

Infertility is defined as a failure to conceive in a couple trying to reproduce for a period of two years without conception. Approximately 15 percent of couples are infertile, and among these couples, male factor infertility accounts for approximately 50 percent of causes. Male infertility is a multifactorial syndrome encompassing a wide variety of disorders. In more than half of infertile men...

A genetic basis of infertility may exist in many men currently classified as having idiopathic infertility. Approximately 7% of infertile men harbour submicroscopic deletions of the Y chromosome that are not detectable on routine karyotype. Two candidate gene families, namely the RNA-binding motif-containing gene family, and the deleted-in-azoospermia gene family, have been cloned by deletion m...

The DAZ (Deleted in AZoospermia) and DAZLA (DAZ-like autosomal) genes may be determinants of male infertility. The DAZ gene on the long arm of the human Y chromosome is a strong candidate for the 'azoospermia factor' (AZF). Its role in spermatogenesis is supported by its exclusive expression in testis, its deletion in a high percentage of males with azoospermia or severe oligospermia, and its h...