Genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase T1 associated with idiopathic azoospermia and oligospermia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of glutathioneS-transferase T (GSTT1) gene polymorphism with azoospermia and oligospermia. METHODS: Semen samples from 34 patients with idiopathic azoospermia, 40 patients with idiopathic oligospermia and 53 healthy controls with normal sperm concentration and motility were assessed according to the standards of WHO. The GSTT1 genotypes were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with peripheral blood DNA samples. RESULTS: The frequencies of null GSTTI genotypes in the patients with idiopathic azoospermia, idiopathic oligospermia and the healthy controls were 76.5%, 72.5% and 49.1%, respectively. There was a significant association between the null alleles of GSTT1 and idiopathic azoospermia (odds ratio 3.13, 95% CI 1.20-8.16, P = 0.020) and idiopathic oligospermia (odds radio 2.53, 95% CI 1.06-6.11, P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: The null alleles of GSTTI are a strong predisposing risk factor for idiopathic azoospermia and oligospermia.