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BACKGROUND: Recent findings demonstrate that single nucleotide variants can cause non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). In contrast, copy number variants (CNVs) were only analysed in few studies in infertile men. Some have reported a higher prevalence of CNVs in infertile versus fertile men. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to elucidate if CNVs are associated with NOA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) in 37 men with meiotic arrest, 194 men with Sertoli cell-only phenotype, and 21 control men. We filtered our data for deletions affecting genes and prioritized the affected genes according to a literature search. Prevalence of CNVs was compared between all groups. Exome data of 2,030 men were screened to detect further genetic variants in prioritized genes. Modelling was performed for the protein encoded by the novel candidate gene TEKT5 and we stained for TEKT5 in human testicular tissue. RESULTS: We determined the cause of infertility in two individuals with homozygous deletions of SYCE1 and in one individual with a heterozygous deletion of SYCE1 combined with a likely pathogenic missense variant on the second allele. We detected heterozygous deletions affecting MLH3, EIF2B2, SLX4, CLPP and TEKT5, in one subject each. CNVs were not detected more frequently in infertile men compared with controls. DISCUSSION: While SYCE1 and MLH3 encode known meiosis-specific proteins, much less is known about the proteins encoded by the other identified candidate genes, warranting further analyses. We were able to identify the cause of infertility in one out of the 231 infertile men by aCGH and in two men by using exome sequencing data. CONCLUSION: As aCGH and exome sequencing are both expensive methods, combining both in a clinical routine is not an effective strategy. Instead, using CNV calling from exome data has recently become more precise, potentially making aCGH dispensable.

De novo mutations are known to play a prominent role in sporadic disorders with reduced fitness. We hypothesize that de novo mutations play an important role in severe male infertility and explain a portion of the genetic causes of this understudied disorder. To test this hypothesis, we utilize trio-based exome sequencing in a cohort of 185 infertile males and their unaffected parents. Following a systematic analysis, 29 of 145 rare (MAF, Germline de novo mutations can impact individual fitness, but their role in human male infertility is understudied. Trio-based exome sequencing identifies many new candidate genes affecting male fertility, including an essential regulator of male germ cell pre-mRNA splicing.

Contains fulltext : 282942.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) Infertility affects around 7% of the male population and can be due to severe spermatogenic failure (SPGF), resulting in no or very few sperm in the ejaculate. We initially identified a homozygous frameshift variant in FKBP6 in a man with extreme oligozoospermia. Subsequently, we screened a total of 2,699 men with SPGF and detected rare bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in FKBP6 in five additional persons. All six individuals had no or extremely few sperm in the ejaculate, which were not suitable for medically assisted reproduction. Evaluation of testicular tissue revealed an arrest at the stage of round spermatids. Lack of FKBP6 expression in the testis was confirmed by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining. In mice, Fkbp6 is essential for spermatogenesis and has been described as being involved in piRNA biogenesis and formation of the synaptonemal complex (SC). We did not detect FKBP6 as part of the SC in normal human spermatocytes, but small RNA sequencing revealed that loss of FKBP6 severely impacted piRNA levels, supporting a role for FKBP6 in piRNA biogenesis in humans. In contrast to findings in piRNA-pathway mouse models, we did not detect an increase in LINE-1 expression in men with pathogenic FKBP6 variants. Based on our findings, FKBP6 reaches a "strong" level of evidence for being associated with male infertility according to the ClinGen criteria, making it directly applicable for clinical diagnostics. This will improve patient care by providing a causal diagnosis and will help to predict chances for successful surgical sperm retrieval.

De novo mutations are known to play a prominent role in sporadic disorders with reduced fitness. We hypothesize that de novo mutations play an important role in severe male infertility and explain a portion of the genetic causes of this understudied disorder. To test this hypothesis, we utilize trio-based exome sequencing in a cohort of 185 infertile males and their unaffected parents. Following a systematic analysis, 29 of 145 rare (MAF < 0.1%) protein-altering de novo mutations are classified as possibly causative of the male infertility phenotype. We observed a significant enrichment of loss-of-function de novo mutations in loss-of-function-intolerant genes (p-value = 1.00 × 10-5) in infertile men compared to controls. Additionally, we detected a significant increase in predicted pathogenic de novo missense mutations affecting missense-intolerant genes (p-value = 5.01 × 10-4) in contrast to predicted benign de novo mutations. One gene we identify, RBM5, is an essential regulator of male germ cell pre-mRNA splicing and has been previously implicated in male infertility in mice. In a follow-up study, 6 rare pathogenic missense mutations affecting this gene are observed in a cohort of 2,506 infertile patients, whilst we find no such mutations in a cohort of 5,784 fertile men (p-value = 0.03). Our results provide evidence for the role of de novo mutations in severe male infertility and point to new candidate genes affecting fertility. © 2022, The Author(s).

Male infertility is a global health issue; yet to a large extent, our knowledge of its causes, impact and consequence is largely unknown. Recent data indicate that infertile men have an increased risk of somatic disorders such as cancer and die younger compared to fertile men. Moreover, several studies point to a significant adverse effect on the health of the offspring. From the startling lack of progress in male contraception combined with the paucity of improvements in the diagnosis of male infertility, we conclude there is a crisis in male reproductive health. The Male Reproductive Health Initiative has been organized to directly address these issues (www.eshre.eu/Specialty-groups/Special-Interest-Groups/Andrology/MRHI). The Working Group will formulate an evidence-based strategic road map outlining the ways forward. This is an open consortium desiring to engage with all stakeholders and governments.

Male infertility affects ~7% of men, but its causes remain poorly understood. The most severe form is non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), which is, in part, caused by an arrest at meiosis, but so far only few validated causal genes have been reported. To address this gap, we performed whole exome sequencing in 58 men with unexplained meiotic arrest and identified in three unrelated men the same homozygous frameshift variant c.676dup (p.Trp226LeufsTer4) in M1AP, encoding meiosis 1 arresting protein. This variant results in a truncated protein lacking 57% of its full-length as shown in vitro by heterologous expression of mutated M1AP. Next, we screened four large cohorts of 1904 infertile men from the International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC) and identified three additional cases carrying homozygous c.676dup and three carrying combinations of this and other likely causal variants in M1AP. Moreover, a homozygous missense variant p.(Pro389Leu) segregated with infertility in five men from a consanguineous Turkish family (LOD score = 3.28). The common phenotype between all affected men was NOA, but occasionally spermatids and rarely a few spermatozoa in the semen were observed. A similar phenotype was described for mice with disruption of M1ap. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that mutations in M1AP cause autosomal recessive severe spermatogenic failure and male infertility. In view of the evidences from several independent groups and populations, M1AP should be included in the growing list of validated male infertility genes. This work was supported by DFG Clinical Research Unit “Male Germ Cells: from Genes to Function” (CRU326). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The molecular diagnosis of Y-chromosomal microdeletions is a common routine genetic test which is part of the diagnostic workup of azoospermic and severe oligozoospermic men. Since 1999, the European Academy of Andrology (EAA) and the European Molecular Genetics Quality Network (EMQN) have been actively involved in supporting the improvement of the quality of the diagnostic assays by publication of the laboratory guidelines for molecular diagnosis of Y-chromosomal microdeletions and by offering external quality assessment trials. The present revision of the 2004 laboratory guidelines summarizes all the clinical novelties related to the Y chromosome (classic, partial and gene-specific deletions, genotype-phenotype correlations, methodological issues) and provides an update on the results of the quality control programme. These aspects also reflect the consensus of a large group of specialists present at a round table session during the recent Florence-Utah-Symposium on 'Genetics of male infertility' (Florence, 19-21 September, 2013). During the last 10 years the gr/gr deletion has been demonstrated as a significant risk factor for impaired sperm production. However, the screening for this deletion type in the routine diagnostic setting is still a debated issue among experts. The original basic protocol based on two multiplex polymerase chain reactions remains fully valid and appropriate for accurate diagnosis of complete AZF deletions and it requires only a minor modification in populations with a specific Y chromosome background. However, in light of novel data on genotype-phenotype correlations, the extension analysis for the AZFa and AZFb deletions is now routinely recommended. Novel methods and kits with excessively high number of markers do not improve the sensitivity of the test, may even complicate the interpretation of the results and are not recommended. Annual participation in an external quality control programme is strongly encouraged. The 12-year experience with the EMQN/EAA scheme has shown a steep decline in diagnostic (genotyping) error rate and a simultaneous improvement on reporting practice.

Das ATRX-Gen kann bei Sequenzveränderungen zum ATRX-Syndrom führen, welches neben starken geistigen und körperlichen Beeinträchtigungen auch das Symptom der männlichen Infertilität beinhaltet. Die Hypothese der milden Mutation des ATRX-Gens wurde an einem Patientenkollektiv von 27 Patienten mit beidseitigem vollständigen Meiosearrest versucht zu bestätigen. Insgesamt befanden sich drei Sequenzveränderungen innerhalb der Exone, wovon keines mithilfe der computergestützten Analyse mit einer Infertilität in Zusammenhang gebracht werden konnte. Die 16 weiteren Sequenzveränderungen befanden sich alle außerhalb des kodierenden Bereiches mit keinerlei Einfluss auf den Spleißprozess. Der Vergleich der detektierten Häufigkeiten mit der Kontrollgruppe und der gnomAD Datenbank erbrachte keine Auffälligkeiten. Ein Zusammenhang zwischen Sequenzveränderungen im ATRX-Gen mit Folge eines vollständigen Meiosearrestes konnte damit nicht bestätigt werden oder nur in seltenen Fällen.

Die männliche Infertilität kann Folge von Mutationen im Genom eines betroffenen Individuums sein. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit sollten deswegen neue Kandidatengene der männlichen Infertilität detektiert werden. Gleichzeitig sollte die Annahme überprüft werden, nach der infertile Männer mehr pathologische Varianten jener Gene aufweisen als Fertile. Insgesamt wurden 911 Gene und das Vorkommen der jeweiligen Varianten in einem Patientengut von 50 Patienten untersucht. Ein Zusammenhang zwischen der Anzahl relevanter Varianten und Ausprägung der männlichen Infertilität konnte nicht nachgewiesen werden. Mit dem Gen CCNA1 konnte nach einem mehrstufigen Filterungsprozess in beiden Datenbanken ein mögliches Kandidatengen der männlichen Infertilität detektiert werden, welches in beiden Datenbanken der einzige gemeinsame Vertreter der potentiell relevantesten Gene war.