Male infertility in Sertoli cell-only syndrome: An investigation of autosomal gene defects.

Abstract

To detect autosomal genetic defects and to determine candidate genes in Sertoli cell-only syndrome infertile men. Single-nucleotide polymorphism+comparative genomic hybridization microarray technology was carried out on 39 Sertoli cell-only syndrome infertile patients in the present study. Array comparative genomic hybridization compares the patient's genome against a reference genome, and identifies uncover deletions, amplifications and loss of heterozygosity. A link between defective spermatogenesis genes and infertility was examined, and amplifications and deletions in several genes were detected, including homeobox gene; synaptonemal complex element protein1; collagen, typeI, alpha1; imprinted maternally expressed transcript; and potassium voltage-gated channel subfamilyQ member1. The present data suggest that several genes can play an important role in spermatogenesis and progression of Sertoli cell-only syndrome.