GENETIC INVESTIGATION AT AZOOSPERMIA FACTOR REGION FOR MALE INFERTILITY

Due to globally increasing problem of infertility and its effect in the life of affected couple's, it is the biggest challenge and an urgent need to minimize this reproductive problem by advanced molecular genetics tools. The extent of microdeletions may affect the degree of spermatogenesis. Y chromosome microdeletion was found to have a prognosis value in the study of infertility, in terms of both the clinical management and the study of spermatogenesis impairment. One of the reason for screening Y-chromosome microdeletion is the possibility of vertical transmission of the Y-chromosome defect to the son conceived by assisted reproduction. With the development of intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), many of the natural selection barriers of fertilization are bypassed. Thus, defective sperms that do not have a chance to fertilize an oocyte in vivo might be able to do so after ICSI treatment. Routine screening of the AZF deletions is, therefore, important for patient counselling before ICSI treatment. Keywords: Y-chromosome, Male infertility, Y-chromosome microdeletion, AZF region, Genetic evaluation, etiology of male infertility.