Identification of genomic imbalances (CNVs as well as LOH) in sertoli cell only syndrome cases through cytoscan microarray

Sertoli cell only syndrome (SCOS) is characterized by complete absence of germ cells in seminiferous tubules of testis. SCOS is multifactorial but genetic factors play a major role in pathogenesis of the disorder with idiopathic origin. Genetic factors majorly include sex chromosomal aneuploidy and Yq Microdeletion. But a large number of cases are still idiopathic. The study aimed to evaluate the genomic imbalances (CNVs and LOH) in idiopathic SCOS patients. The study is based on 28 apparent idiopathic SCOS cases and 10 controls. Molecular cytogenetic techniques viz., FISH, STS-Multiplex PCR and Affymetrix cytoscan microarray (750 K) were used. The microarray screened whole genomic imbalances in DNA from peripheral blood of 25 cases (excluded Klinefelter syndrome patients) and testicular FNAC sample of 2 cases. High FSH and low Inhibin B were observed in cases as compared to control controls groups. Four cases of sex chromosomal abnormality (i.e., three non-mosaic 47, XXY males and one non-mosaic 46, XX male) as well as four cases of Yq microdeletion (i.e., three cases with AZFc deletion and one case with complete AZFa, b and c deletion) were identified. Microarray detected unbalanced translocation of two segments of Y-chromosome i.e., Yp11.31-p11.2 (-4.o mb region, involving SRY) and Yp11.2 (-2.5 mb region) on X-chromosome in XX male. Also, loss of segment on same X-chromosome involving PAR1 region was identified. We have identified both autosomal and sex chromosomal CNVs (recurrent as well as private) involving candidate genes like SYCE1, ZFPM2, SRPK1, DAZ1, BPY2, HSFY1, VCY1 etc. All these CNVs are possibly associated with SCOS pathogenesis. CNVs identified in cases were already reported as pathogenic variant in clinical database DECIPHER. Microarray also detected many LOH (all autosomal, >3.0 mb size) that covered genes with spermatogenesis related function. The mechanism of action of LOH in pathogenesis of SCOS still remains unravelled. CNVs and LOH related to spermatogenesis identified from two different sample types (blood vs. testicular tissue) were discordant. This study should be extended for larger cohort of patients.

Automated summary

Sertoli cell only syndrome (SCOS) is characterized by complete absence of germ cells in seminiferous tubules of testis. Genetic factors, including sex chromosomal aneuploidy and Yq Microdeletion, play a major role in the pathogenesis of SCOS. The study evaluated genomic imbalances in idiopathic SCOS patients and identified various genetic abnormalities related to SCOS pathogenesis, including sex chromosomal abnormalities and Yq microdeletions. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms of these genomic imbalances in the pathogenesis of SCOS.