Expression of CDY1 may identify complete spermatogenesis.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of deleted in azoospermia (DAZ), RNA-binding motif (RBM), and chromodomain y1 (CDY1) genes in the testes of men with azoospermia with variable histopathologies.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Andrology laboratory of a university-affiliated maternity hospital.

PATIENT(S): Sixty-six men with azoospermia.

INTERVENTION(S): Testicular sperm extraction.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The results of gene expression in testicular tissue tested by RT-PCR were correlated with those of histopathologically and microscopically examined minced testicular tissue. Y chromosome microdeletion testing and karyotyping were performed, as was direct sequencing of CDY1-PCR products.

RESULT(S): CDY1-minor expression was detected in all biopsies in which mature spermatids/spermatozoa were observed by histological analysis and/or in the minced tissue. CDY1-minor expression was also detected in two biopsies with arrest at the spermatocyte stage during which no mature spermatids/spermatozoa were observed. A previously unreported CDY1-minor alternative splicing transcript was identified. DAZ and RBM gene expressions were detected in all biopsies in which at least a few germinal cells in early stages were found and in one biopsy histologically determined as Sertoli cell only.

CONCLUSION(S): Our preliminary results suggest that CDY1-minor expression might increase the prospect for complete spermatogenesis, while RBM and DAZ expression can only be indicative of the presence of germinal cells.