Laboratory Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (1): 28-33.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8640.2026.01.005

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Analysis of Y chromosome AZF gene microdeletions in 2 002 male infertile patients from Liuzhou

ZHONG Xin1, CHEN Lizhu2, YUAN Dejian2, QIN Songqiang2, HUANG Jun3, HUANG Cheng3, ZHANG Ling2, XIE Li2, WEI Xiaoni2, ZHONG Qingyan3, TANG Ning1()   

  1. 1. Comprehensive Laboratory Center,Liuzhou Hospital of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center,Liuzhou 545001,Guangxi,China
    2. Department of Medical Genetics,Liuzhou Hospital of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center,Liuzhou 545001,Guangxi,China
    3. Department of Medical Genetics,Liuzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital,Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Obstetric and Gynecologic Diseases,Liuzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Prevention and Control of Thalassemia,Liuzhou 545000,Guangxi,China
  • Received:2024-09-04 Revised:2025-03-03 Online:2026-01-30 Published:2026-01-30
  • Contact: TANG Ning

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the characteristics of Y chromosome azoospermia factor (AZF) gene microdeletions in male infertile patients in Liuzhou,and to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods A total of 2 002 male infertile patients at Liuzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital and Liuzhou Hospital of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from April 2018 to June 2023 were enrolled. Y chromosome AZF gene microdeletions,karyotype analysis,semen routine examination and sperm DNA fragmentation rate determination were performed. Results Totally,152 cases(7.59%)were determined with Y chromosome AZF gene microdeletions,including 69 cases of basic site deletions and 83 cases of extended site deletions. Among the 152 patients with Y chromosome AZF gene microdeletions,45 cases were of the Zhuang ethnicity(29 cases of basic site deletions and 16 cases of extended site deletions),87 cases were of the Han ethnicity(29 cases of basic site deletions and 58 cases of extended site deletions)and 20 cases were of other ethnicities(11 cases of basic site deletions and 9 cases of extended site deletions). Among the 12 patients with Y chromosome AZF gene extended site deletions,the semen routine examination results were normal. Among the 1 762 patients who underwent karyotype analysis,only 32 cases(1.82%)had Y chromosome abnormalities,and 13 cases were positive for Y chromosome AZF gene microdeletions. Among the 875 patients who underwent sperm fragmentation rate determination,244 patients had sperm fragmentation rates >30%,and 21 cases(8.61%)were determined with Y chromosome microdeletions. Totally,631 patients had sperm fragmentation rate <30%,and 32 cases (5.07%) were determined with Y chromosome microdeletions. Conclusions AZF gene microdeletion determination can increase the determination rate of abnormal Y chromosomes in males,but it can not determine the cause of male infertility. Multiple determination methods should be used for auxiliary diagnosis.

Key words: Azoospermia factor gene, Y chromosome, Karyotype analysis, Sperm DNA fragmentation, Infertility, Male

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