Sperm chromosome abnormalities in men with severe male factor infertility who are undergoing in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the potential paternal contribution to the risk of fetal chromosomal anomalies after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).


METHODS
Spermatozoa isolated from testicular tissue and ejaculated specimens of consenting patients undergoing testicular biopsy and ICSI were analyzed for chromosomes X, Y, and 18 by FISH.


METHODS
Assisted reproductive technology program.


METHODS
Consenting patients undergoing testicular biopsy and ICSI, severe oligozoospermic patients, and normal fertile donors.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
The rate of chromosome abnormalities in testicular sperm with regard to the type of azoospermia and ejaculated sperm compared to healthy men.


RESULTS
The mean serum levels of FSH in the groups with nonobstructive azoospermia (n = 9), obstructive azoospermia (n = 10), severe oligozoospermia (n = 9), and the normal donors (n = 6) were 17.5 +/- 8.2 (P<.05), 3.5 +/- 2.6, 14.6 +/- 3.5 (P<.05), and 3.1 +/- 0.4 IU/mL, respectively. The corresponding rates of sperm chromosome abnormalities among these groups were 19.6% (P<.001), 8.2% (P<.001), 13.0% (P<.001), and 1.6%, respectively. The corresponding rates of disomy among these groups were 7.8% (12 of 153 spermatozoa), 4.9% (18 of 367), 6.2% (109 of 1,751), and 1% (5 of 500 spermatozoa), respectively. Errors in chromosomes X and Y were significantly more common than in chromosome 18.


CONCLUSIONS
The present findings demonstrate a linkage between gonadal failure (high serum FSH levels) and the occurrence of sperm chromosome aneuploidies. Our findings may explain the increased incidence of sex chromosome abnormalities found after IVF in the severe male factor patient population. Genetic screening during pregnancy or before embryo replacement should be considered carefully.
Levron
J
J
IVF Unit, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. jlevron@netvision.net.il
Aviram-Goldring
A
A
Madgar
I
I
Raviv
G
G
Barkai
G
G
Dor
J
J
D000782:Aneuploidy; D001706:Biopsy; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002887:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D012016:Reference Values; D012729:Sex Chromosome Aberrations; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology*; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology; D014960:X Chromosome; D014998:Y Chromosome
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone