Chromosomal analysis of sperm from men with idiopathic infertility using sperm karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if idiopathic infertile men having oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, or teratozoospermia have an elevated risk of transmitting chromosomal abnormalities to their offspring.


METHODS
Sperm chromosomal complements from five somatically normal infertile men were assayed using the human sperm-hamster oocyte fusion system and the disomy frequencies for chromosomes 1, 12, and the sex chromosomes were determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization.


METHODS
Infertile men and normal donors were volunteers in an academic research environment.


METHODS
Five men with the appropriate semen characteristics were recruited among patients concerned about their infertility.


METHODS
Sperm fused with hamster oocytes resulting in sperm chromosomes or the sperm nuclei were prepared for fluorescence in situ hybridization.


METHODS
Structural and numerical abnormalities assessed by sperm karyotypes and the disomy frequency determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis.


RESULTS
The infertile men showed increased frequencies of numerical abnormalities and total abnormalities as determined by sperm karyotyping. Analysis of sperm nuclei by fluorescence in situ hybridization indicated a significant increase in the frequency of disomy for chromosome 1 and XY disomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Sperm from infertile men may contain an increased frequency of chromosomal abnormalities.
Moosani
N
N
University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Pattinson
H A
HA
Carter
M D
MD
Cox
D M
DM
Rademaker
A W
AW
Martin
R H
RH
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D002875:Chromosomes; D006224:Cricetinae; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics*; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*