Infertility and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Gene: TDRD12
Tudor domain (TD)-containing proteins (TDRDs) play a crucial role as molecular scaffolds in piRNA biogenesis, PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs preferentially expressed in germ cells required for transposon silencing.
PMIDs 39122675 and 40750267 report 9 individuals from 9 families with biallelic loss-of-function TDRD12 variants presenting with male infertility (non‑obstructive azoospermia, teratozoospermia, and variable spermatogenic arrest). Clinical features include spermatogenic failure, abnormal sperm morphology, and germ‑cell maturation arrest.
One female sibling homozygous for a loss of function variant demonstrated premature ovarian failure.
Supportive functional evidence with testicular tissue from affected individuals showing decreased amounts of piRNA. As well as this LINE1 transposon expression was up‑regulated.Created: 5 Mar 2026, 10:59 a.m. | Last Modified: 5 Mar 2026, 10:59 a.m.
Panel Version: 1.4492
Mode of inheritance
BIALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal
Phenotypes
Spermatogenic failure, MONDO:0004983, TDRD12-related
Publications
Two novel homozygous TDRD12 variants (c.3378dupG and c.2463C>G) reported in two unrelated infertile men, respectively. Patient 1 had a TDRD12 frameshift mutation (c.3378dupG), resulting in a truncated protein lacking the cysteine-rich domain. This individual presented with teratozoospermia, characterized by abnormal sperm morphology, including defects in the head and flagellum. Patient 2 had a TDRD12 nonsense mutation (c.2463C>G), resulting in complete degradation of the protein. This individual exhibited azoospermia, characterized by germ cell maturation arrest at the spermatocyte stage.
Sources: LiteratureCreated: 2 Sep 2025, 6:24 p.m.
Mode of inheritance
BIALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal
Phenotypes
Spermatogenic failure, MONDO:0004983, TDRD12-related
Publications
Gene: tdrd12 has been classified as Amber List (Moderate Evidence).
Gene: tdrd12 has been classified as Amber List (Moderate Evidence).
gene: TDRD12 was added gene: TDRD12 was added to Infertility and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss. Sources: Literature Mode of inheritance for gene: TDRD12 was set to BIALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal Publications for gene: TDRD12 were set to 40750267 Phenotypes for gene: TDRD12 were set to Spermatogenic failure, MONDO:0004983, TDRD12-related Review for gene: TDRD12 was set to AMBER