CAG repeat length variation in the polymerase gamma (POLG) gene: effect on semen quality

Mol Hum Reprod. 2008 Apr;14(4):245-9. doi: 10.1093/molehr/gan012. Epub 2008 Mar 3.

Abstract

Several case-control studies have investigated the effect of CAG repeat length variation in the POLG gene on male fertility and semen quality. Some described an association between the homozygous not10 CAG-repeat genotype and male subfertility and/or reduced semen quality, whereas others did not. The aim of our study was to investigate whether the not10/not10 variant is associated with spermatogenic failure. By direct sequencing methods, we determined the CAG repeat length of POLG in a cohort of 700 consecutive included men with variable degrees of spermatogenesis to investigate its effect on semen quality. The frequency of the not10/not10 variant in our cohort was 4.7%. There were no differences in semen quality between groups with various POLG genotypes. There was a significant difference in frequency of the three CAG-repeat genotypes between ethnic subgroups. In conclusion, the not10/not10 POLG variant is not associated with clinically significant decreases in semen quality, but its frequency is dependent on ethnic background.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • DNA Polymerase gamma
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics*
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Semen / metabolism*
  • Trinucleotide Repeats / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA Polymerase gamma
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase