Rapid multiplexing and simultaneous detection of human spermatogenetic failure with a 12 lane microchip electrophoresis system.

For the amplification and ultrafast separation of the genetic markers and DNA sequences that are related to human male infertility, a multiplex PCR for amplifying three DNA sequence-tagged sites (STS) located on the human Y chromosome with possible roles in the spermatogenesis process has been designed and applied followed by separation on a microchip. First, the optimum T(m) degree for the three DNA markers was optimized and determined experimentally, and the three DNA STS were amplified. These three DNA markers were then separated on a 12-lane microchip electrophoresis system, which can analyze the DNA markers on 12 channels simultaneously. The combination of these two technologies, multiplex PCR and microchip electrophoresis, allows the analysis of 36 DNA markers (12x3) within only 180 s.