AZF microdeletions of the Y chromosome and in vitro fertilization outcome.

Objective: To determine whether the presence of a Y microdeletion confers any adverse effects on in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) outcome.

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Setting: Academic infertility center.

Patient(s): A total of 17 patients with Y microdeletions who attempted IVF/ICSI cycles at our center between March 1996 and March 2002 were studied. Study patients were analyzed in two groups: those who underwent testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and those for whom ejaculated sperm was used.

Intervention(s): The two patient study groups were matched to controls treated at the same time who had either nonobstructive severe oligozoospermia or azoospermia with normal Y chromosomes. Controls were matched for age of the female partner, sperm concentration, and number of embryos transferred.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Fertilization and clinical pregnancy rates.

Result(s): Sperm was only obtained from patients with azoospermic factor (AZF)c microdeletions (and from one patient with a partial AZFb microdeletion). A trend toward lower fertilization rates in patients with Y microdeletions was noted, which did not reach statistical significance. Clinical pregnancy rates per cycle and per transfer were similar to those for controls.

Conclusion(s): Patients with AZFc microdeletions seem to have IVF/ICSI outcomes comparable to those of controls with normal Y chromosomes.