Infertility and contraception: AZFc deletion: practice question

A OBG question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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OBG · Infertility and contraception: AZFc deletion

Sample item

An azoospermic man has a complete deletion of the AZFc region of the Y chromosome. Which statement is correct?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Sperm may still be retrieved by testicular extraction for ICSI, and the deletion will pass to his sons

AZFc deletions are the commonest Y microdeletion in azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia. Sperm are often found by testicular sperm extraction, unlike complete AZFa or AZFb deletions, but the deletion is passed to male offspring. Counselling before ICSI is essential.

Option by option

  • A. Sperm may still be retrieved by testicular extraction for ICSI, and the deletion will pass to his sons (correct)

    Correct. Retrieval is often possible, and sons will inherit the microdeletion.

  • B. The deletion is autosomal recessive and will not affect his sons

    A Y-linked deletion is not autosomal recessive and is passed on to male children.

  • C. No sperm can ever be found and donor sperm is the only option

    Complete AZFa and AZFb deletions usually mean no sperm, but AZFc deletions often permit retrieval.

  • D. Hormonal therapy with FSH will restore sperm in the ejaculate

    Gonadotropin therapy does not repair a genetic defect in spermatogenesis.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is A, Sperm may still be retrieved by testicular extraction for ICSI, and the deletion will pass to his sons. AZFc deletions are the commonest Y microdeletion in azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia.

Why is "The deletion is autosomal recessive and will not affect his sons" not the answer?

A Y-linked deletion is not autosomal recessive and is passed on to male children.

Why is "No sperm can ever be found and donor sperm is the only option" not the answer?

Complete AZFa and AZFb deletions usually mean no sperm, but AZFc deletions often permit retrieval.

Why is "Hormonal therapy with FSH will restore sperm in the ejaculate" not the answer?

Gonadotropin therapy does not repair a genetic defect in spermatogenesis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infertility and contraception: AZFc deletion in OBG. Sperm are often found by testicular sperm extraction, unlike complete AZFa or AZFb deletions, but the deletion is passed to male offspring. Counselling before ICSI is essential.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Infertility and contraception: AZFc deletion?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.