Two fast methods for detection of Y-microdeletions

Objective: To test two recently available commercial kits: the new Promega Y Chromosome Deletion Detection System 2.0 kit and the Bird-Set kits (Y Chromosome UE and Extension). Design: A comparative technical study. Setting: Male infertility clinic. Patient(s): Twelve various Y chromosome microdeleted patients were included in the present study: two AZFa deleted, two AZFb deleted, four AZFb+c deleted, three AZFc deleted, and one AZF a+b+c deleted. Intervention(S): DNA samples were tested with both the Promega kit and the Bird-Set kits. Main Outcome Measure(s): Electrophoresis and analysis comparison on a bioanalyzer. Result(s): Both kits (Promega 2.0 and Bird Y Chromosome UE) confirmed the 12 Y deletions. Both kits (Bird Extension and Promega 2.0) were able to determine the length of the 12 microdeletions with various differences. The new Promega 2.0 kit was considerably improved, with the addition of two sequenced tag sites (STS) in AZFa (sY86 and sY84) and the deletion of some (sY239 and sY153) but not all supernumerary inadequate STS. Conclusion(s): The two new commercially available kits use two different protocols to detect Y chromosome microdeletions. The Promega kit is a one-step diagnostic test. The Bird diagnostic test uses a two-step protocol. Both kits offer relevant methods such as standardization and ready-to-use mixes. However, both kits need further evaluation under routine conditions using nontested DNA samples.