Elucigene Male Factor Infertility Kit

The Male Factor Infertility Kit detects both sex chromosome aneuploidy and Y-chromosome microdeletions in a single tube using QF-PCR (Quantitative Fluorescence-Polymerase Chain Reaction) technique using a CE Genetic Analyzer platform. The Male Factor Infertility Kit uses EAA/EMQN prescribed markers and primers to detect Y-chromosome microdeletions affecting the AZFa, AZFb and AZFc regions in accordance with best practice guidelines. Identifying the genetic causes of male infertility can result in more effective clinical management of patients. Statistically, 10-15% of couples experience difficulty in conceiving, with male related factors e.g. low sperm count, thought to be an underlying issue in approximately 50% of cases. Although in the majority of incidences the causes of male infertility are unknown, studies have shown that sex chromosome aneuploidy and microdeletions of specific regions of the Y-chromosome can play a role. Klinefelter syndrome is the most common sex chromosome aneuploidy associated with male infertility. This syndrome has a live birth incidence of between 1:500 and 1:650 males with the most common cause being an additional copy of the X chromosome (47, XXY karyotype).Y-chromosome microdeletions are the next most common genetic cause of male infertility, with microdeletions occurring in three regions (AZFa, AZFb, AZFc) detected in up to 7% of oligospermia (low sperm count) and 13% of nonobstructive azoospermia cases. These microdeletions occur due to homologous recombination of repetitive sequences in these regions and the exact molecular mechanisms and recombination events underlying these changes have been elucidated. These regions are located at chromosome Yq11 and although the AZFa microdeletion region is distinct, there is a significant degree of overlap between the regions affected by AZFb and AZFc microdeletion.