Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene cause congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) in approximately 1% of the infertile males. It is a common cause of azoospermia associated with low semen volume and acidic pH. These male will have normal testicular sperm, which are immotile due to the absence of vas deferens.
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Approximately 80% of men with CBAVD are found to have at least one allele mutated in the CFTR gene.
4 The most common CFTR mutation is a three base- paired deletion at position 508 that causes an in-frame deletion of a phenyloalanine. The mutant protein is known as ∆ F508 CFTR.
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Congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens (CUAVD) is a similar condition that involves aplasia of only one side of the vas deferens.
4 It presents with infertility rarely. CFTR gene mutations have been reported in 43% of men with unilateral absence of the vas deferens.
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