Prospective assessment of Y-chromosome microdeletions and reproductive outcomes among infertile couples of Japanese and African origin

BACKGROUND: To compare the frequency of Y-chromosome microdeletions in Japanese and African azoospermic and oligozoospermic men and describe embryo characteristics and reproductive outcome following in vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS: Our study was performed prospectively at two centers, a private IVF clinic and a university hospital. Japanese and African (Tanzanian) men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and oligozoospermia (concentration < 5 × 10(6 )/ml) were evaluated for Y-chromosome microdeletions (n = 162). Of the 47 men with NOA, 26 were Japanese and 21 were Africans. Of the 115 men with oligozoospermia, 87 were Japanese and 28 were Africans. Reproductive outcomes of patients with Y-chromosome microdeletions were then compared with those of 19 IVF+ICSI cycles performed on couples with Y-chromosome intact males/tubal factor infertility which served as a control group. RESULTS: Seven azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients had Y-chromosome deletions; the total number of deletions in the AZFc region was five. There was only one deletion in the AZFa region and one complete deletion involving all three regions (AZFa, b, and c) within AZF. In our study population, microdeletion frequency among Japanese men was 6.2% (95% CI, 4.25% – 14.45%), whereas no deletions were identified in the African group (95% CI, 0.0% – 7.27%). The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant, however. Embryos derived from ICSI utilizing sperm with Y-chromosome microdeletion showed reduced rates of fertilization, blastocyst development, implantation, and pregnancy compared to the Y-chromosome intact group, although these observed differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The observed frequency of Y-chromosome microdeletion was 6.2% among Japanese azoospermic and oligozoospermic males; no microdeletions were identified among our African study patients. In this population of couples undergoing IVF+ICSI, there was no statistically significant difference in embryo characteristics or pregnancy outcome between patients with Y-chromosome microdeletion and those with an intact Y-chromosome

Comparative Assessment of the Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Amongst Blood Transfused and Non-Transfused Sicklers in Edo State, Nigeria

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become an important cause of liver disease and liver cancer worldwide. Because of their frequent crises, sickle cell patients are usually subjected to different treatment conditions such as multiple blood transfusion, multiple injections, intravenous drug use and traditional surgery with substantial potential risks. Blood transfusion is believed to play a leading role in the transmission of HCV infection to sicklers. This study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of HCV antibodies among transfused and non-transfused sicklers in Edo State. Sera from the subjects were tested for HCV antibodies using Clinotech Diagnostic test device supplied by Clinotech Diagnostic andPharmaceuticals, Canada. A total of 1,052 sicklers comprising 526 with history of blood transfusion and 526 without such history were recruited for this study. The overall seroprevalence was 2.5% (26/1,052). However, seropositivity was found in 3.0% (16/526) sicklers transfused while those without transfusion had seropositivity of 1.9% (10/526). There was nosignificant difference in infection rates between the two populations (X2 = P > 0.05). Transfusion and the non– transfusion routes appear to be independent risk factors for the transmission of hepatitis C virus infection in this locality

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus in People Exposed to Traditional Surgical Procedures in Edo State, Nigeria

Traditional surgical practice involves the use of sharp instruments for marking or incising the body of individuals. These surgical instruments are often reused on different persons without sterilization; thereby exposing them to bloodborne infections. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in people who had been exposed to traditional surgical practices in Edo State, Nigeria. Sera from the subjects were tested for HCV antibodies using Clinotech Diagnostic test device supplied by Clinotech Diagnostic and Pharmaceuticals, Canada. Seropositivity was found in 4.8% (62/1,304) of subjects with history of traditional surgery, while those without such exposure had seropositivity of 1.9% (13/682) (