Microdeletions in the Y Chromosome of Infertile Men

Background Some infertile men with azoospermia or severe oligospermia have small deletions in regions of the Y chromosome. However, the frequency of such microdeletions among men with infertility in general is unknown. We sought to determine the prevalence of Y-chromosome microdeletions among infertile men and to correlate the clinical presentation of the men with specific deletions. Methods We studied 200 consecutive infertile men. Each man was evaluated comprehensively for known causes of infertility, and Y-chromosome microdeletions were studied with use of the polymerase chain reaction to amplify specific regions of the chromosome. The Y chromosomes of 200 normal men were also analyzed. Results Fourteen infertile men (7 percent) and four normal men (2 percent) had microdeletions of the Y chromosome. Nine of the infertile men had azoospermia or severe oligospermia (sperm concentration