Prevalence of Y chromosome microdeletions in infertile Tunisian men.

Yq microdeletions are the leading genetic cause of male infertility and its detection in clinically relevant for appropriate genetic counseling. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of Y microdeletion in a group of Tunisian infertile men and to compare the prevalence of these abnormalities with other countries and other Tunisian reported series. Totally, 105 Tunisian idiopathic infertile men (74 azoospermic and 31 severe oligozoospermic) were screened for the presence of Y chromosome microdeletions. The screening of Yq microdeletions was performed by two multiplex PCRs using six STS markers recommended by the EAA/EMQN. No microdeletions were detected in the men with severe oligozoospermia. In the azoospermic group, 2/74 (2.7%) patients showed Y chromosome microdeletions. Both had complete deletion of the AZFc region. No microdeletion was identified in the AZFa region or in the AZFb region. The estimated frequency of Y chromosome microdeletions in the present survey was similar to some other reports but lower than that of previous reports in Tunisian populations.

Chromosomal evaluation in a group of Tunisian patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia attending a Tunisian cytogenetic department.

Male infertility is the cause in half of all childless partnerships. Numerous factors contribute to male infertility, including chromosomal aberrations and gene defects. Few data exist regarding the association of these chromosomal aberrations with male infertility in Arab and North African populations. We therefore aimed to evaluate the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in a sample of 476 infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia (n=328) or severe oligozoospermia (n=148) referred for routine cytogenetic analysis to the department of cytogenetics of the Pasteur Institute of Tunis. The overall incidence of chromosomal abnormalities was about 10.9%. Out of the 52 patients with abnormal cytogenetic findings, sex chromosome abnormalities were observed in 42 (80.7%) including Klinefelter syndrome in 37 (71%). Structural chromosome abnormalities involving autosomes (19.2%) and sex chromosomes were detected in 11 infertile men. Abnormal findings were more prevalent in the azoospermia group (14.02%) than in the severe oligozoospermia group (4.05%). The high frequency of chromosomal alterations in our series highlights the need for efficient genetic testing in infertile men, as results may help to determine the prognosis, as well as the choice of an assisted reproduction technique. Moreover, a genetic investigation could minimize the risk of transmitting genetic abnormalities to future generations.