AZFa deletions in Sertoli cell-only syndrome: a retrospective study

Lack of data on the genotype-phenotype relationship in cases of AZF microde letions is due to the limited number of histological investigations in huma n male infertility cases. We investigated the possibility of retrospective detection of Yq11 microdeletions by using DNA extracted from diagnostic tes ticular biopsies. We used histological criteria to select two series of mat erial: 22 biopsies with Sertoli cell-only syndrome and 14 biopsies with mat uration arrest at the spermatocyte I stage. Two markers, DFFRY and DAZ, wer e tested by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the two series. In th e Sertoli cell-only syndrome series, we found four deletions affecting the DFFRY gene (18.2%). In the second series, no deletions were detected. Two c onclusions may be considered, although the number of specimens analysed is limited: (i) the frequency of deletions observed in Sertoli cell-only syndr ome allows us to suggest that deletion in the AZFa region may be involved i n this pathology; and (ii) retrospective studies may yield some additional elements in our search for eventual genotype-phenotype relationships.