Mutations in the promoter region of the androgen receptor gene are not common in males with idiopathic infertility

Abstract

Molecular studies on the role of the androgen receptor in male infertility have thus far concentrated solely on exonic regions of the androgen receptor gene. We have therefore screened for the first time the androgen receptor gene 5' untranslated region (nucleotides -153 to +237) in 240 males with idiopathic infertility for lesions which could potentially impair spermatogenesis. This region encompasses the androgen receptor gene promoter. DNA was extracted from blood leukocytes and the polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the promoter region as two overlapping products. Single strand conformational polymorphism analysis was carried out on these products to screen for mutations. This analysis did not reveal the presence of any gross deletions or mutations. Our results thus preclude aberrations in the promoter region of the androgen receptor gene as a common factor in the aetiology of idiopathic male infertility.