DETECTION OF DNA REPAIR DEFECTS IN INFERTILE MEN

Among the 20 million infertile couples in the U.S., a male factor is implicated in 40% of cases. Of male patients with infertility, only 50% will have an identifiable cause. Despite this lack of etiological information, many men with serverely impaired spermatogenesis can achieve biological fatherhood through in vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, ICSI could result in offspring with harmful genetic abnormalities if the male infertility is the result of DNA repair mechanisms. This fact has fueled aggressive interest in the identification of specific genetic causes in infertility.

Researchers at UCSF have developed a new method for reliably identifying faulty DNA repair in sperm cells or germ cells of men seeking IVF. This assay will help define a possible genetic basis for the etiology of infertility in some men. More importantly, it can be used to determine the statistical likelihood of transmitting genetic defects that could cause severe defects in offspring conceived through IVF/ICSI.

If you would like to receive further information about this technology and potential licensing opportunities, please contact:

Joel B. Kirschbaum, Ph.D.
Director & Senior Technology Portfolio Manager
(415) 353-4462 phone
(415) 348-1579 fax
Joel Kirschbaum, Ph.D.

Reference: OTM Case #SF99-085