How to deal with Y chromosome microdeletion?

Question

We just discovered my husband suffers Y Chromosome microdeletion, which was unknowninlgy, genetically passed from his father. He has severe oligospermia. Now, we’re trying ICSI but I fear if it will get passed to our male child. Gender selection isn’t allowed in my country. What can we do? I’m so new to this.

GSBK1733 · Answer

Even if gender selection is not allowed, if you specify that you’re screening for Y-microdeletion, the lab will have to tell you about the embryos that are normal. They will likely be girl embryos but you’ll get the answer.

RNXP3343 · Answer

A Y chromosome microdeletion diagnosis can definitely feel scary at first, but the outcome depends a lot on which deletion type is involved. Some men still produce small amounts of sperm, while others may have more severe sperm production problems.

The AZF regions are usually what doctors look at:

AZFa
AZFb
AZFc

AZFc deletions are generally considered the most hopeful because sperm retrieval may still be possible through procedures like micro-TESE combined with IVF/ICSI.

One really important thing to know is that if IVF works and a male child is born, the deletion can potentially be passed on to him too. That’s why genetic counseling is often recommended before treatment.

Emotionally, this diagnosis can hit hard for many men, but it’s a genetic condition, not something caused by lifestyle or “bad choices.” I think having a fertility specialist explain the exact deletion clearly makes a huge difference because the prognosis can vary a lot from person to person.