To assess for the first time the occurrence of Y chromosomal microdeletions of the Azoospermia Factor c (AZFc) region in Iranian men and to correlate them with clinical parameters. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study, we analyzed 100 infertile men and 100 controls with normal spermatogenesis. AZFa, AZFb, AZFc region were analyzed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: No AZFa, AZFb or AZFc deletions were found in the control group. Nine patients in the group of infertile men were found to have deletions as following: two AZFb, six AZFc, and one AZFab. The relative distribution of these patterns was significantly different compared with that found in the German population. Extension analysis confirmed that the deletions occurred according to the current pathogenic model. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the frequency of Y chromosome AZF microdeletions is elevated in individuals with severe spermatogenic failure.
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