Hum. Reprod. Advance Access originally published online on February 12, 2004
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Human Reproduction, Vol. 19, No. 4, 788-793,
April 2004
© 2004 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Y chromosome microdeletion screening in infertile men in France:a survey of French practice based on 88 IVF centres
1 Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpital Nord, 42055 Saint Etienne, 2 Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Saint Etienne and 3 Département de Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France
4 To whom correspondence should be addressed. e-mail: rachel.levy{at}chu-st-etienne.fr
Y chromosome microdeletion screening is advised in cases of severely impaired spermatogenesis. Improvements in molecular biological techniques have made diagnosis more accessible in routine analysis. However, Y chromosome microdeletions are not diagnosed in all IVF centres. The aim of the present study was to determine the regulatory (indications, financing) and performance (methods, invoicing) conditions required for this analysis, in France. Microdeletion detection was found to be spreading fast and consistantly. It therefore seems necessary for a consensus to be reached on indications, with a view to a standardized technique, with a common effort of experts in the field. Financial management by the French Health Insurance bodies (Sécurité Sociale) would be an essential step towards routine adoption. Lastly, the answers to our questionnaire revealed a strong demand for information concerning this analysis.
Key words: France/male infertility/microdeletions/survey/Y chromosome