Transcriptional Differences in Identical Twins With Different Reproductive Capacities: A Case Report
Publication Date
6-1-2023
Journal
Cureus
DOI
10.7759/cureus.40847
PMID
37492809
PMCID
PMC10363651
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
6-23-2023
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
no
Keywords
case report, hox, e2f1, azoospermia, genetics, infertility
Abstract
Disorders of sperm production can be classified quantitatively as oligospermia (low sperm count) or azoospermia (no sperm during ejaculation). Numerous genes have been implicated in spermatogenesis. We describe a case of two identical twins who presented with different reproductive capabilities. One brother was infertile due to azoospermia, and the other, although oligospermic, previously naturally fathered a child. They were found to have differential gene expression based on RNA sequencing analysis. In the man with azoospermia, we found elevated E2F1 and HOXB9 gene expressions when compared with his brother, suggesting that the increased RNA expression of these genes could influence sperm production.