PGDIS position statement on the transfer of mosaic embryos 2021.

Chromosome testing strategies, such as preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), improve initial IVF outcomes by avoiding unwitting transfer of aneuploid embryos in morphology-based selection practices. Newer technologies have revealed that some embryos may appear to have intermediate whole chromosome (or parts of a chromosome termed segmental) copy number results suggesting trophectoderm mosaicism. An embryo with a trophectoderm mosaic-range result may be the only option for transfer for some patients. Recent data suggest that such mosaic embryos can be transferred without added risk of abnormal birth outcomes but may be associated with increased implantation failure and miscarriage rates, with higher values of mosaicism appearing to be less favourable for producing good outcomes. In this Position Statement, we provide guidance to laboratories, clinics, clinicians and counsellors to assist in discussions on the utility and transfer of mosaic embryos.

Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis for pregnancies at risk for ß-thalassaemia: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical feasibility of noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for ß-thalassaemia using circulating single molecule amplification and re-sequencing technology (cSMART). DESIGN: Through carrier screening, 102 pregnant Chinese couples carrying pathogenic HBB gene variants were recruited to the study. Pregnancies were managed using traditional invasive prenatal diagnosis (IPD). Retrospectively, we evaluated the archived pregnancy plasma DNA by NIPD to evaluate the performance of our cSMART assay for fetal genotyping. SETTING: Chinese prenatal diagnostic centres specialising in thalassaemia testing. POPULATION: Chinese carrier couples at high genetic risk for ß-thalassaemia. METHODS: Fetal cell sampling was performed by amniocentesis and HBB genotypes were determined by reverse dot blot. NIPD was performed by a newly designed HBB cSMART assay and fetal genotypes were called by measuring the allelic ratios in the maternal cell-free DNA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Concordance of HBB fetal genotyping between IPD and NIPD and the sensitivity and specificity of NIPD. RESULTS: Invasive prenatal diagnosis identified 29 affected homozygotes or compound heterozygotes, 54 heterozygotes and 19 normal homozygotes. Compared with IPD results, 99 of 102 fetuses (97%) were correctly genotyped by our NIPD assay. Two of three discordant samples were false positives and the other sample involved an incorrect call of a heterozygote carrier as a homozygote normal. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity of our NIPD assay was 100% (95% CI 88.06-100.00%) and 97.26% (95% CI 90.45-99.67%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that our cSMART-based NIPD assay for ß-thalassaemia has potential clinical utility as an alternative to IPD for pregnant HBB carrier couples. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: A new noninvasive test for pregnancies at risk for ß-thalassaemia.

Noninvasive fetal genotyping in pregnancies at risk for PKU using a comprehensive quantitative cSMART assay for PAH gene mutations: a clinical feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic performance of a novel circulating single molecule amplification and re-sequencing technology (cSMART) method for noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) of Phenylketonuria (PKU). DESIGN: Blinded NIPT analysis of pregnancies at high risk for PKU. SETTING: Shanghai Xinhua Hospital and Hunan Jiahui Genetics Hospital, China. POPULATION: Couples (n = 33) with a child diagnosed with PKU. METHODS: Trio testing for pathogenic PAH mutations was performed by Sanger sequencing. In second pregnancies, invasive prenatal diagnosis (IPD) was used to determine fetal genotypes. NIPT was performed using a PAH gene-specific cSMART assay. Based on the plasma DNA mutation ratio relative to the fetal DNA fraction, fetal genotypes were assigned using a maximum-likelihood algorithm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Concordance of fetal genotyping results between IPD and NIPT, and the sensitivity and specificity of the NIPT assay. RESULTS: Compared with gold standard IPD results, 32 of 33 fetuses (96.97%) were accurately genotyped by NIPT. The sensitivity and specificity of the NIPT assay was 100.00% (95% CI 59.04-100.00%) and 96.15% (95% CI 80.36-99.90%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The novel cSMART assay demonstrated high accuracy for correctly calling fetal genotypes. We propose that this test has useful clinical utility for the rapid screening of high-risk and low-risk pregnancies with a known history of PKU on one or both sides of the family. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: NIPT of couples at high risk for PKU using a full-coverage cSMART PAH gene test.

Traditional karyotyping vs copy number variation sequencing for detection of chromosomal abnormalities associated with spontaneous miscarriage.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the performance of traditional G-banding karyotyping with that of copy number variation sequencing (CNV-Seq) for detection of chromosomal abnormalities associated with miscarriage. METHODS: Products of conception (POC) were collected from spontaneous miscarriages. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected using high-resolution G-banding karyotyping and CNV sequencing. Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction analysis of maternal and POC DNA for short tandem repeat (STR) markers was used to both monitor maternal cell contamination and confirm the chromosomal status and sex of the miscarriage tissue. RESULTS: A total of 64 samples of POC, comprising 16 with an abnormal and 48 with a normal karyotype, were selected and coded for analysis by CNV-Seq. CNV-Seq results were concordant for 14 (87.5%) of the 16 gross chromosomal abnormalities identified by karyotyping, including 11 autosomal trisomies and three sex chromosomal aneuploidies (45,X). Of the two discordant results, a 69,XXX polyploidy was missed by CNV-Seq, although supporting STR marker analysis confirmed the triploidy. In contrast, CNV-Seq identified a sample with 45,X karyotype as a 45,X/46,XY mosaic. In the remaining 48 samples of POC with a normal karyotype, CNV-Seq detected a 2.58-Mb 22q deletion associated with DiGeorge syndrome and nine different smaller CNVs of no apparent clinical significance. CONCLUSIONS: CNV-Seq used in parallel with STR profiling is a reliable and accurate alternative to karyotyping for identifying chromosome copy number abnormalities associated with spontaneous miscarriage.

Non-invasive prenatal testing for fetal aneuploidies in the first trimester of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) of maternal plasma samples collected from pregnant Chinese women in early gestation, between 8 + 0 and 12 + 6 weeks' gestation. METHODS: In this pilot study, 212 women with high-risk pregnancies were recruited at a single Chinese Hospital. Fetal aneuploidies associated with chromosomes 21, 18, 13, X and Y were detected by massively parallel sequencing of maternal plasma DNA samples. Invasive prenatal diagnosis by either chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis and then karyotyping was offered to all women to confirm both positive and negative NIPT results. Fetal DNA fraction was also determined in male pregnancies, by the relative percentage of Y-chromosome sequences. All confirmed NIPT-negative pregnancies were followed up to birth and neonates were clinically evaluated for any symptoms of chromosomal disease. RESULTS: Autosomal aneuploidies trisomy 21 (n = 2), 18 (n = 1) and 13 (n = 1) were detected by NIPT and confirmed by amniocentesis and karyotyping. There were one false-positive 45,X sample and two false-negative samples associated with fetal karyotypes 47,XXY and 45,X[16]/47,XXX[14]. In the 100 male pregnancies, the median fetal DNA fraction was 8.54% and there was a trend towards an increasing fetal fraction from 8 + 0 to 12 + 6 weeks' gestation. The majority (95%) of pregnancies had a fetal DNA fraction > 4%, which is generally the limit for accurate aneuploidy detection by NIPT. Across this early gestational time period, there was a weak inverse relationship (R(2) = 0.186) between fetal DNA fraction and maternal weight. CONCLUSIONS: NIPT is highly reliable and accurate when applied to maternal DNA samples collected from pregnant women in the first trimester between 8 + 0 and 12 + 6 weeks.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase 67-reactive T cells: a marker of insulin-dependent diabetes.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) has been shown to be a target of autoantibodies in insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD). Two forms of GAD, with molecular weights of 67,000 and 65,000, have been cloned from separate genes. As pancreatic islet beta cell destruction DD is an autoimmune process mediated by T cells, we sought to determine if recombinant GAD67 was recognized by T cells in IDD subjects and particularly their first-degree relatives with islet cell antibodies known to be at risk for IDD. The central regions of human islet and brain GAD67 (amino acids 208-404) were cloned as fusion proteins with glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Proliferation of peripheral blood T cells in the presence of recombinant GAD67 was significantly higher in both at-risk relatives and recent-onset IDD subjects than in other autoimmune disease subjects and human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched healthy controls. Thus, 12 of 29 (41%) at-risk relatives and 11 of 29 (38%) recent-onset IDD subjects responded to GAD67, compared with 1 of 7 (14%) other autoimmune disease subjects and 1 of 23 (4%) HLA-matched controls. T cell responses to GST alone or to tetanus toxoid were not different between the groups. These findings demonstrate that GAD67 is a target autoantigen of T cells in IDD and suggest the possibility that GAD-reactive T cells may delineate asymptomatic subjects at increased risk for IDD.

Antitopoisomerase I monoclonal autoantibodies from scleroderma patients and tight skin mouse interact with similar epitopes.

We have generated for the first time monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for topoisomerase I (topo I) from scleroderma patients, and tight skin mice which develop a scleroderma-like syndrome. The epitope specificity of these antibodies has been determined using a series of fusion proteins containing contiguous portions of topo I polypeptide. Western blot analysis demonstrated that both human and mouse mAbs bound strongly to fusion protein C encompassing the NH2-terminal portion of the enzyme, and weakly to fusion proteins F and G containing regions close to the COOH-terminal end of the molecule. This crossreactivity is related to a tripeptide sequence homology in F, G, and C fusion proteins. It is interesting that a pentapeptide sequence homologous to that in fusion protein C was identified in the UL70 protein of cytomegalovirus, suggesting that activation of autoreactive B cell clones by molecular mimicry is possible. Both human and mouse mAbs exhibiting the same antigen specificity, also share an interspecies cross-reactive idiotope. These data suggest that B cell clones producing antitopo autoantibodies present in human and mouse repertoire are conserved during phylogeny, and are activated during the development of scleroderma disease.

Transcription factor jun-B is target of autoreactive T-cells in IDDM.

Target antigens defined by autoantibodies in IDDM include insulin, a putative glycolipid that reacts with islet cell antibodies, and a 64,000-M(r) protein recently identified as glutamic acid decarboxylase. In addition, some IDDM sera that contain antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase also coprecipitate a 38,000-M(r) protein from islets. This study used a high titer anti-38,000-M(r) serum to screen bacteriophage lambda cDNA expression libraries and identified human islet and placental clones encoding jun-B, the nuclear transcription protein, of predicted 38,000 M(r). Peripheral blood T-cells exhibited significant proliferation in response to a recombinant fragment of jun-B (amino acids 1-180) in 12 of 17 (71%) recent-onset IDDM subjects, 8 of 16 (50%) ICA-positive first-degree relatives of IDDM subjects who were at risk, 3 of 12 (25%) other autoimmune disease subjects, and 0 of 10 healthy control subjects. Proliferation to tetanus toxoid did not differ significantly between the groups. Responses to jun-B were not related to age, sex, or human leukocyte antigen status. Thus, autoreactive T-cells identify a novel antigen, p38 jun-B, in IDDM and appear to indicate subjects at risk for the development of clinical disease.

Laminin-1 promotes differentiation of fetal mouse pancreatic beta-cells.

Extracellular factors that regulate the growth and differentiation of cell lineages in the pancreatic primordia are poorly understood. Identification of these factors for pancreatic islet beta-cells could open new avenues for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes. We developed a low cell density serum-free culture system for dissociated pancreatic cells from the 13.5-day mouse fetus and investigated the effects of extracellular matrix proteins on differentiation of islet cells. After 4 days in culture, total cell number decreased by two-thirds, but insulin-positive beta-cell number increased 10-fold. Both of collagens I and IV inhibited cell survival (by >50%), whereas fibronectin had no effect. In the presence of soluble laminin-1, however, the number of beta-cells increased linearly by 60-fold without an increase in the total cell number; glucagon-positive cell number was unchanged, and somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide-positive cells were not detected. The effect of laminin-1 was completely blocked by a monoclonal rat anti-laminin-1 antibody. In the presence of laminin-1, the thymidine analogue, BrdU, was incorporated into only 2.5% of cells, which were mainly insulin-negative at days 1-3. Laminin-1 appeared, therefore, to induce differentiation of beta-cells from precursor cells in day-13.5 fetal pancreas. Laminin-1 was shown to be expressed in the epithelial basement membrane of the 13.5- to 17.5-day fetal pancreas. These findings provide the first evidence of a role for laminin-1 to promote differentiation of pancreatic beta-cells.

An ELISA for antibodies to recombinant glutamic acid decarboxylase in IDDM.

To detect serum antibodies to GAD in subjects with IDDM, three recombinant mBGAD 67 peptides encompassing the full-length protein were used in an ELISA. In this study 7 of 9 (78%) preclinical IDDM subjects (ICA+ first-degree relatives of a person with IDDM) and 6 of 13 (46%) recent-onset IDDM subjects, but no subjects with Graves' disease (n = 10) or scleroderma (n = 10), nor healthy nondiabetic control subjects (n = 10) had antibodies that reacted with one or more of the recombinant mBGAD peptides. We found no preferential reactivity with any recombinant peptide. Although only 3 preclinical subjects and 1 recent-onset subject had antibodies to all three mBGAD peptides, the results indicate that mBGAD 67 contains at least three B-cell autoepitopes. Compared with an immunoprecipitation assay of native human brain GAD, the ELISA detected 5 of 6 (83%) preclinical and 6 of 6 (100%) recent-onset IDDM subjects. The ELISA should facilitate screening to evaluate the role of autoimmunity to GAD in the development of IDDM.

Transgenic expression of mouse proinsulin II prevents diabetes in nonobese diabetic mice.

IDDM in humans and in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice is a T-cell-dependent autoimmune disease in which the beta-cells of the pancreatic islets are destroyed. Several putative beta-cell autoantigens have been identified, but insulin and its precursor, proinsulin, are the only ones that are beta-cell specific. (Pro)insulin may be a key autoantigen in IDDM. To address the role of proinsulin in the development of IDDM, we generated NOD mice transgenic for the mouse proinsulin II gene driven off a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II promoter to direct expression of the transgene to MHC class II bearing cells, including those in the thymus, with the aim of deleting proinsulin-reactive T-cells. The mononuclear cell infiltration of the islets (insulitis) is almost completely absent, and diabetes is prevented in these transgenic NOD mice. The mononuclear cell infiltration of the salivary glands (sialitis) and immune responses to ovalbumin (OVA) are not altered, indicating that the protective effect of the transgene is specific for islet pathology and not due to general immunosuppression. We conclude that autoimmunity to proinsulin plays a pivotal role in the development of IDDM.

Three-dimensional imaging of human stem cells using soft X-ray tomography.

Three-dimensional imaging of human stem cells using transmission soft X-ray tomography (SXT) is presented for the first time. Major organelle types--nuclei, nucleoli, mitochondria, lysosomes and vesicles--were discriminated at approximately 50 nm spatial resolution without the use of contrast agents, on the basis of measured linear X-ray absorption coefficients and comparison of the size and shape of structures to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. In addition, SXT was used to visualize the distribution of a cell surface protein using gold-labelled antibody staining. We present the strengths of SXT, which include excellent spatial resolution (intermediate between that of TEM and light microscopy), the lack of the requirement for fixative or contrast agent that might perturb cellular morphology or produce imaging artefacts, and the ability to produce three-dimensional images of cells without microtome sectioning. Possible applications to studying the differentiation of human stem cells are discussed.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 (GAD67): expression relative to GAD65 in human islets and mapping of autoantibody epitopes.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), a target of both autoantibodies and autoreactive T-cells in insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD), exists as two homologous forms, GAD65 and GAD67. GAD65 is preferentially expressed in human islets and recognized by autoantibodies in IDD, but which form primarily elicits GAD autoimmunity is unknown. GAD67 gene expression in human islets has been demonstrated only by the polymerase chain reaction. We, therefore, quantitatively compared the expression of each GAD gene in human islets and mapped the binding of autoantibodies to recombinant human GAD67 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In ribonuclease protection assays, both forms of GAD messenger RNA (mRNA) were detected in human islets, although GAD65 mRNA was 200 times more abundant than GAD67 mRNA. Immunoblotting of islets with GAD form-specific antisera revealed GAD65, but not GAD67. By in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, GAD65 mRNA and protein were localized to islets, predominantly, but not entirely, to beta-cells; GAD67 mRNA and protein were undetectable. Thus, although GAD67 protein expression was undetectable in human islets, the GAD67 gene is transcribed, albeit weakly. Antibodies that recognized multiple epitopes in recombinant GAD67 were found in 20% of sera from ICA positive "at risk" first degree relatives of IDD subjects and recent-onset IDD subjects. The majority of GAD67 epitopes were mapped within the mid- and C-terminal thirds of the protein, a region that is highly conserved in GAD65. Although GAD67 may share cross-reactive epitopes with GAD65, these findings do not exclude the possibility that autoimmunity to GAD arises as a consequence of the aberrant up-regulation of GAD67 in human islets.

Identification of pancreatic beta cell-related genes by representational difference analysis.

A knowledge of beta cell-specific gene expression provides a basis for identifying proteins potentially involved in beta cell function and pathology. To identify candidate beta cell-specific genes, we applied the PCR-based subtractive hybridization technique of representational difference analysis (RDA) to the mouse SV40-transformed endocrine cell lines, betaTC3 and alphaTC1. Following three successive subtractions of alphaTC1 complementary DNA from betaTC3 complementary DNA, difference products were cloned into pUC19 and nucleotide sequences determined. Comparison of 91 sequences against the databases identified 11 known and 8 novel genes. Known genes included previously reported beta cell-specific genes, insulin I/II and islet amyloid polypeptide, as well as other non-beta cell-specific genes such as those for insulin-like growth factor II, selenoprotein P, neuronatin, prohormone convertase, and type 1 protein kinase A regulatory subunit. By Northern blot hybridization, expression of the majority of known and novel genes was restricted to betaTC3 cells. Novel genes BA-12, -13, -14, and -18 were expressed not only in betaTC3 cells, but also in normal pancreatic islets and a limited number of other tissues. The deduced amino acid sequence of BA-14 showed significant homology with members of the cadherin superfamily indicating that BA-14 may encode a cadherin-like molecule potentially involved in beta cell adhesion events during islet ontogeny. In betaTC3 cells, none of the novel genes were regulated at the RNA level by high glucose. However, in parallel studies, transcription of BA-12 was significantly increased by both sodium butyrate and nicotinamide, suggesting that this gene may play a role in pancreatic beta cell growth and/or differentiation. In this study, we have demonstrated that cRDA is an effective strategy for systematically mapping differences in gene expression between two related but functionally-distinct endocrine cells. Its application to experimental animal models of islet-cell regeneration may facilitate the discovery of potential factors that mediate beta cell growth and differentiation.

Localization and quantitation of expression of two glutamate decarboxylase genes in pancreatic beta-cells and other peripheral tissues of mouse and rat.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) catalyzes synthesis of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-amino butyric acid. Two homologous forms of GAD encoded by separate genes have been cloned from rat brain, with predicted protein sizes of 67 and 65 kilodaltons. GAD is present outside the brain, and pancreatic islet GAD is believed to be a target of autoimmunity in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. However, peripheral expression of the two GAD genes is incompletely characterized. We, therefore, investigated GAD expression in peripheral tissues, including pancreas, of mouse and rat. cDNAs encoding GAD 67 and GAD 65 were cloned from mouse brain and shown to be 95% homologous with the rat sequences. RNase protection assay using specific cRNA probes demonstrated expression of both GAD forms in freshly harvested pancreas and testis. Levels of both GAD mRNAs were greater in rat than mouse pancreas. GAD 67 mRNA was more abundant than GAD 65, and both were localized to islet beta-cells by in situ hybridization. In testis, both GAD mRNAs were localized to spermatocytes. Additionally, GAD 67, but not GAD 65, mRNA was detected in mouse and rat spleen and mouse liver. Thus, both GAD genes are expressed in peripheral tissues, with GAD 67 mRNA being more abundant under physiological conditions. The expression of both GAD 67 and GAD 65 genes specifically in islet beta-cells indicates that both GAD forms are candidate autoantigens in rodent models of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Nucleotide sequence and transcriptional analysis of a third function (Flm) involved in F-plasmid maintenance.

The leading region of the conjugative F plasmid encodes for a function, Flm, capable of extending the maintenance of normally unstable plasmids. Nucleotide sequencing and functional studies of flm locus have shown that it consists of at least two genes, flmA and flmB, which are physically and functionally homologous to hok and sok of parB in plasmid R1. The 52-amino acid flmA-coded polypeptide is almost identical to the hok product which has been shown to be a membrane-associated lethal protein [Gerdes et al., EMBO J. 5 (1986) 2023-2029]. Gene flmB codes for a 100 nucleotide, non-translated, complementary RNA which overlaps the 5' leader sequence of the flmA RNA. The flmA RNA also encodes an open reading frame (ORF70) which overlaps the flmA-coding sequence and may be a third gene involved in the Flm function. S1 analysis and functional studies suggest that the antisense flmB RNA binds to the flmA RNA and suppresses the expression of the lethal product, presumably by blocking coupled translation of ORF70 and flmA. Secondary structure analysis predicts that the flmA RNA is extremely stable compared to the regulatory flmB RNA. We suggest that when these RNA species are retained by cells which have lost the F plasmid, the more stable flmA RNA will eventually be translated thus leading to cell death. This phenomenon provides a third mechanism, additional to ParFIA and Ccd functions, to ensure maintenance of the F plasmid in a growing bacterial population.

Sequence and conservation of genes at the distal end of the transfer region on plasmids F and R6-5.

The nucleotide sequence of the region downstream of transfer gene traI, including fertility inhibition gene finO, on the conjugative plasmids F and R6-5, has been determined. Analysis of the F sequence revealed two open reading frames (ORF's), ORF248 and ORF186; ORF186 (finO) is interrupted by the insertion of IS3. The R6-5 sequence also contained ORF248 and an intact ORF186, although an additional ORF (ORF286) was located between the two genes. ORF248, which we have designated traX, and ORF186 (finO) are highly conserved on both plasmids. The organisation of these genes indicates that traI and traX on F, and traI, traX and ORF286 on R6-5 are co-transcribed from their respective promoters upstream of traI. Sequences homologous to traX were detected on a range of conjugative F-like plasmids, whereas sequences homologous to ORF286 were only found on plasmids R6-5, R100 and R1. The conservation of traX sequences suggests a functional importance for that gene and/or its product.

Nucleotide sequences of the HLA-DRw12 and DRw8 B1 chains from an Australian aborigine.

To gain a more detailed understanding of the molecular structure of the HLA genes in Australian aborigines, the polymorphic first-domain sequences of the DR B alleles were determined in an aborigine who was tissue typed as HLA-DRw8 and a probable DRw12; DRw52; DQw1,7. Both peripheral blood leukocytes and a lymphoblastoid cell line were reactive with the majority of DRw12-specific sera, but also with half of the DRw11-specific sera. With the use of primers specific for the conserved regions flanking the first domain, the polymerase chain reaction technique was used to amplify first-strand synthesis products prepared from the cell line. Two distinct DRB1 sequences were obtained. One was virtually identical to the reported DRw8,Dw8.3 sequence present in an Asian haplotype, differing only by a single silent nucleotide substitution at the third position of codon 36 (A to G). A second DRB allele was closely related to two recently published and nearly identical sequences for DRw12, with amino acid differences at positions 67 and 85 of the first domain. DRB RFLP studies on this cell line using the Taq I restriction enzyme indicated bands previously described for the DRw8 and DRw12 haplotypes.

Y chromosome analysis of infertile men and their sons conceived through intracytoplasmic sperm injection: vertical transmission of deletions and rarity of de novo deletions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and type of Yq microdeletions in 86 consecutive men that fathered 99 sons by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and to determine the incidence of vertical transmission and de novo deletions in these boys. DESIGN: Prospective clinical observational study. SETTING: Genetics laboratory associated with a university IVF unit. PATIENT(S): Eighty-six consecutive infertile men presenting to an IVF clinic and their 99 ICSI-conceived sons. Fifty of the 86 men (58%) had idiopathic seminiferous tubule failure (STF); the remainder had a variety of other clinical indications for ICSI. INTERVENTION(S): Collection of peripheral and cord blood samples. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The Yq genetic status of fathers who underwent ICSI and of their sons by the presence or absence of 22 Y-specific markers covering the four azoospermia factor (AZF) subregions. RESULT(S): Yq deletions of the AZFd/c region were detected in two (6.9%) of 29 azoo- or severely oligospermic men with STF. Identical deletions were found in their respective sons. No de novo deletions were detected in the remaining 97 sons conceived by men without deletions. CONCLUSION(S): The detection of Yq deletions only in men with severe STF is consistent with previous studies, with the AZFd/c region being most commonly affected. This study demonstrates the vertical transmission of these Yq deletions through the use of ICSI and supports the notion that, in most cases, Yq deletions will be inherited by male offspring. The absence of de novo Yq deletions in the male offspring indicates that these events are rare following ICSI in men with both STF and other common male factor indications.