Identification and Characterization of the Methylation Abnormalities on Whole Genome Among Infertile Men

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will analyse the sperm global methylation status of 62 infertile men before assisted reproductive techniques. Some of these patients (20%) present hypomethylation of H19 locus. A global methylation analysis may reveal others imprinting defects.

Detailed Description
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An increase of the abnormalities of the imprint was brought back at the child's stemming from assisted reproductive techniques. Now abnormalities of methylation could be implied in defects of spermatogenesis and certain abnormalities of development of the male germ cells could be due to modifications abnormal epigenetics. The objective of this research is to determine the frequency of arisen the abnormalities of methylation at the level of the locus H19 in the sperm cells of barren men presenting an unexplained oligozoospermia and to determine if these changes are a reflection of abnormalities of the profiles of methylation of the whole genome. The patients will realize a taking of sperm having signed the consent.

Official Title
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Identification and Characterization of the Methylation Abnormalities on Whole Genome Among Infertile Men

Conditions
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Oligospermia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: methylation analyses on spermatozoa from infertile men


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Men from 18 to 45 years old, presenting an idiopathic oligozoospermia lower than 10 million sperm cells / ml and include in a program of medically assisted conception Patients with social security Patients having signed the informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Infertility with a neoplastic origin: patients subjected to a treatment potentially sterilizing (chemotherapy or radiotherapy). Infertility with an infectious origin Infertility with a traumatic origin Infertility bound to a chromosomal abnormality or a microdeletion of Y Histories of cryptorchidism, of varicocele

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Oligozoospermia<br>infertile patients presenting a reduced sperm count (less than 20 Millions of spermatozoa/ml) | Other: methylation analyses on spermatozoa from infertile men<br>* microarray analysis(www.EPIGENOMICS.com)<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bring to light methylation abnormalities of the locus H19 in men's mature sperm cells presenting an unexplained oligozoospermia |  | 1 day | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Determine if these methylation abnormalities of the locus H19 reflect changes in the profile of global methylation of the spermatic DNA |  | 1 day | 
| Estimate the association between these modifications and the nuclear quality of the sperm cell | by TUNEL analysis | 1 day | 
| Estimate the association between these modifications and the rates of success with In VITRO fertilization |  | 1 day | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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methylation, micro array, locus H19, male infertility