TNFα -308 C→T and -863 C→A polymorphisms and spermiogram characteristics

Background: Genetic factors may play a role in male infertility. Methods: In a prospective case-control study, we assessed the allele and genotype frequencies of the TNF alpha -308 C -> T and -863 C -> A polymorphisms, detected by PCR of sperm DNA, of 577 Caucasian men recruited in an infertility clinic. Semen sampling was performed and spermiogram results were correlated to genetic data. Results: The allele frequencies of the TNF alpha -308 C -> T and -863 C -> A polymorphisms were not significantly different between non-normozoospermic (n = 447) and normozoospermic (n = 130) men [758/894 (85%) and 134/894 (15%) vs. 213/269 (82%) and 43/260 (18%), p = 0.5, odds ratio (OR) 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-1.76, and 749/894 (84%) and 145/894 (16%) vs. 212/260 (82%) and 48/260 (18%), p = 0.4, OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.78 1.76, respectively]. The genotype frequencies of the TNF alpha -308 C -> T and -863 C -> A polymorphisms were also not significantly different between non-normozoospermic and normozoospermic men. In addition, mutant alleles were not overrepresented in subgroups of men with the oligoasthenoteratozoospermia syndrome and asthenozoospermia. Conclusion: The TNF alpha -308 C -> T and -863 C -> A polymorphisms are not associated with spermiogram characteristics and do not represent molecular markers for genetic susceptibility to male infertility. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.