Rapid detection of sex chromosomal aneuploidies by QF-PCR: application in 200 men with severe oligozoospermia or azoospermia

Genet Test. 2007 Summer;11(2):139-45. doi: 10.1089/gte.2006.0506.

Abstract

Klinefelter syndrome is the most common genetic cause of severe male factor infertility. Cytogenetic evaluation of metaphase chromosomes generally has a long turnaround time. We describe a reliable molecular genetic method that can be completed in 2 working days to identify the presence of any extra X chromosomes. The quantitative fluorescent (QF) 5-plex PCR includes the amplification of amelogenin, which is present on both sex chromosomes in a biallelic form, a polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) on the pseudoautosomal region of X and Y (X22), two polymorphic X-specific STRs (DXS6803, DXS6809), and a Y-specific marker (SY134), in a single tube. The presence of an extra X chromosome is recognized either by a supernumerary peak or an increased peak area based on criteria we have developed. The application of the method on 200 patients resulted in the identification of 14 patients (7%) with Klinefelter syndrome or a variant form (2 SRY-positive 46,XX men), as well as an additional patient with 47,XYY karyotype. The QF-PCR method, along with Y chromosome microdeletion testing, can be used as a first-step genetic analysis in azoospermic or severely oligozoospermic patients for the rapid identification of sex chromosome aneuploidies.

MeSH terms

  • Aneuploidy
  • Azoospermia / genetics*
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Chromosomes, Human, X*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Y*
  • DNA / blood
  • DNA / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Oligospermia / genetics*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Sex Chromosome Aberrations*

Substances

  • DNA