Genetic Male Infertility Screening - Y-Chromosome Microdeletion Test (PCR)

A molecular test using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detects microdeletions in specific regions of the long arm of the Y chromosome (Yq11), known as the Azoospermia Factor (AZF) deletion regions. It targets three main regions: AZFa, AZFb, and AZFc. The absence (deletion) of any of these regions is associated with varying degrees of spermatogenesis, ranging from severe oligospermia to azoospermia. This test is considered the gold standard for men with very low sperm counts.