Association of progesterone receptor gene polymorphism with male infertility and clinical outcome of ICSI

Purpose: To investigate the association of Progesterone Receptor (PR) gene variations and male infertility. Methods: DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing of PR gene, PROGINS insertion by PCR. Association of the variations with seminal parameters and outcomes of ICSI. Results: Four known SNPs in the PR gene were identified in the study of which three (rs3740753, rs1042838, rs104283) were co-inherited and in complete linkage disequilibrium with the PROGINS Alu insertion. There were no differences in their frequencies between fertile and infertile males. The rs2020880 was found at a very low frequency only in the controls but not in the infertile subjects. The sperm counts, fertilization rate, embryo quality or pregnancy rates were not different in individuals with or without PROGINS allele. Conclusion: PR gene alterations are not associated with male infertility or ICSI outcome