Molecular analysis of the androgen receptor gene in Hong Kong Chinese infertile men

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between CAG repeat length in the androgen receptor gene and impaired spermatogenesis in Hong Kong Chinese population. Methods: The CAG repeat region was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 85 nonobstructive azoospermic or severe oligozoospermic men, and 45 fertile males. The number of CAG repeat was analyzed by DNA sequencing. Serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels were also determined in these men. Results: Among nonobstructive azoospermic males, three men (5.7%) possessed short CAG repeats (<16), and three (5.7%) other men possessed long CAG repeats (>30). Short CAG repeats (<16) were also found in two severe oligozoospermic males (6.3%). The incidence of infertile men with short or long CAG repeats is significantly higher in the azoospermic group (p = 0.03) but not in the severe oligozoospermic group (p = 0.17) when compared with the fertile controls. Conclusion: Our data suggest an association between CAG repeat lengths and impaired spermatogenesis in azoospermic males in our population.