Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Identifies Novel Sequence Variations of Genes Associated with Nonobstructive Azoospermia in the Han Population of Northeast China

Med Sci Monit. 2019 Aug 4:25:5801-5812. doi: 10.12659/MSM.915375.

Abstract

BACKGROUND This study aimed to screen common and low-frequency variants of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA)-associated genes, and to construct a database for NOA-associated single nucleotide variants (SNVs). MATERIAL AND METHODS Next-generation sequencing of 466 NOA-associated genes was performed in 34 patients with NOA (mean age, 29.06±4.49 years) and 40 sperm donors (mean age, 25.08±5.75 years) from the Han population of northeast China. The SNV database was constructed by summarizing NOA non-negatively-associated SNVs showing statistical differences between NOA cases and controls, and then selecting low-frequency variants using Baylor's pipeline, to identify statistically valid SNVs. RESULTS There were 65 SNVs identified that were significantly different between both groups (p<0.05). Five genetic variants showed positive correlations with NOA: MTRR c.537T>C (rs161870), odds ratios (OR), 3.686, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.228-11.066; MTRR, c.1049A>G (rs162036), OR, 3.686, 95% CI, 1.228-11.066; PIWIL1, c.1580G>A (rs1106042), OR, 4.737, 95% CI, 1.314-17.072; TAF4B, c.1815T>C (rs1677016), OR, 3.599, 95% CI, 1.255-10.327; and SOX10 c.927T>C (rs139884), OR, 3.192, 95% CI, 1.220-8.353. Also, 52 NOA non-negatively associated SNVs and 39 SNVs were identified by Baylor's pipeline and selected for the SNV database. CONCLUSIONS Five genetic variants were shown to have positive correlations with NOA. The SNV database constructed contained NOA non-negatively associated SNVs and low-frequency variants. This study showed that this approach was an effective strategy to identify risk alleles of NOA.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Argonaute Proteins / genetics
  • Asian People / genetics
  • Azoospermia / genetics*
  • Azoospermia / metabolism
  • China / epidemiology
  • Ethnicity / genetics
  • Ferredoxin-NADP Reductase / genetics
  • Gene Frequency / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genetic Variation / genetics
  • Genotype
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / genetics
  • Male
  • Odds Ratio
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • SOXE Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods
  • Spermatogenesis / genetics
  • TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factor TFIID / genetics

Substances

  • Argonaute Proteins
  • PIWIL1 protein, human
  • SOX10 protein, human
  • SOXE Transcription Factors
  • TAF4B protein, human
  • TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors
  • Transcription Factor TFIID
  • methionine synthase reductase
  • Ferredoxin-NADP Reductase

Supplementary concepts

  • Azoospermia, Nonobstructive