Spectrum of gr/gr and b2/b3 Y Chromosome Microdeletions in Pakistani Population

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and clinical significance of gr/gr and b2/b3 deletions in Pakistani population.Methodology: In this study, we analyzed Y chromosome deletions using markers sY1191 and sY1291 in patients with azoospermia (n=26), severe oligozoospermia (n=29), moderate oligozoospermia (n=24) and normozoospermia (n=9) using multiplex PCR. Control group consisted of fertile men with normal spermatogenesis (n=30) having children. Results: The overall deletion frequency of gr/gr was 6.8 % (6 /88) while that of b2/b3 was 5.6 % (5/88). gr/gr deletions were detected in 4 men with severe oligozoospermia, 1 with azoospermia and 1 normospermic (but infertile) man. b2/b3 deletion was found in 3 severe oligozoospermic and 2 azoospermic men. None of the control group had either gr/gr or b2/b3 deletion. Conclusion: Our results indicate that both gr/gr and b2/b3 deletions are a risk factor for spermatogenic failure in the population under study