Multiplex PCR Screening of Y Chromosome Microdeletions in Azoospermic Patients

Objective To develop a multiplex PCR protocol for routine screening of microdeletions on the Y chromosome Methods Five multiplex sets were established and Y chromosome microdeletions screening were carried out in 26 azoospermic men who undertook ICSI and 30 azoospermic men who undertook testicular biopsy. Results In 56 azoospermic men, 5 patients were found with AZFc/DAZ microdeletions, 2 patients were accompanied by AZFc/DAZ and AZFb/RBM1 double microdeletion, and 1 patient had only single sY153 microdeletion. Conclusion The multiplex PCR protocol presented in this study is an easy and reliable method for detecting microdeletions on the Y chromosome. Routine screening for microdeletions on the Y chromosome in azoospermic patients is essential.

Identification of Differentially Expressed MicroRNAs in the Ovary of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome with Hyperandrogenism and Insulin Resistance

Background：Polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） is the commonest endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age.The patients often develop insulin resistance （IR） or hyperinsulinemia despite manifesting anovulation and signs of hyperandrogenism.The cause and effect relationship of hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenemia （HA） is still debated.Micro-ribonucleic acids （miRNAs） have recently been shown to play a role in regulation of ovarian function.Our current study focused on the altered expression of miRNAs with PCOS.Methods：Ovarian theca intema tissues were obtained from 10 PCOS patients and 8 controls that were non-PCOS and had normal insulin sensitivity undergoing laparoscopy and/or ovarian wedge resection.Total RNA of all samples was extracted.We studied the repertoire of miRNAs in both PCOS and non-PCOS women by microarray hybridization.Bioinformatic analysis was performed for predicting targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs.Furthermore,selected miRNAs were validated by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction （qRT-PCR）.Results：A total of 27 miRNAs were differentially expressed in PCOS patients with respect to the controls in our discovery evaluationand two （miR-92a and miR-92b） of them were significantly downregulated in PCOS women in followed validation （P 〈 0.05）.Targets prediction revealed that miR-92a targeted both GATA family of zinc finger transcription factor GATA-binding factor 6 （GATA6） and insulin receptor substrate proteins 2 （IRS-2）.Conclusions：MiRNAs are differentially expressed between PCOS patients and controls.We identified and validated two miRNAs-miR-92a and miR-92b.They are significantly downregulated and may be involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Diagnostic Guidelines for Infertility

Infertility seriously endangers the reproductive health of women at childbearing age.It is defined as the failure to achieve successful pregnancy after 1 year or more of regular unprotected intercourse.Broadly defined,infertility includes two aspects-failure to conceive or have a live birth.This guideline only addressed content relevant to the former.It was proposed by the gynecological endocrine group of the Chinese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Chinese Medical Association,based on relevant guidelines of the World Health Organization,the American Society for Reproductive Medicine,the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence,as well as the clinical practice in China.The guideline was reviewed by experts and doctors from medical institutions at all levels,which is applicable to the diagnosis of infertility by physicians in obstetrics,gynecology,and andrology at various medical institutions nationwide.