Association of CYP1A1 and glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms with male factor infertility

ObjectiveTo examine whether a relationship exists between genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1 and T1, CYP1A1∗2C, and male factor infertility.DesignGenetic polymorphism analysis, case-control study.SettingUniversity research laboratory and andrology clinic.Patient(s)One hundred ten men with infertility and 105 healthy fertile men were recruited for the study.Intervention(s)Physical examination of the genitalia of patients, scrotal colored Doppler ultrasound examination, and blood sampling were performed for DNA extraction and genotyping.Main Outcome Measure(s)CYP1A1∗2C, GSTM1, and GSTT1 polymorphism genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Seminal parameters were analyzed.Result(s)There were significant differences between infertility and GSTM1, CYP1A1∗2C genotypes by univariate analyses. A subject carrying CYP1A1 Val/Val or CYP1A1 Ile/Val in association with GSTM null genotype has 6.90 times more risk to be infertile than a subject carrying CYP1A1 Ile/Ile in association with GSTM1 wild-type genotype (odds ratio: 6.90, 95% confidence interval: 2.29–19.3). No correlation was found between the seminal parameters and the genetic variability.ConclusionOur results suggest that genetic polymorphisms of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes could play an important role in infertility.