Sperm chromosomal abnormalities are linked to sperm morphologic deformities.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the association between specific sperm morphologic abnormalities and sperm chromosomal abnormalities on multicolor interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).


METHODS
Case report. Reproductive medicine unit in a tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Three infertile men with severe oligoasthenospermia and total teratozoospermia who were referred for IVF treatment.


METHODS
Incidence of spermatozoal chromosomal aneuploidy for chromosome 18 and the sex chromosomes by using FISH.


RESULTS
Morphologic assessment of sperm revealed a high incidence of double heads, multinucleated sperm heads, and multiple tails. Hormone profiles and karyotyping of peripheral lymphocytes were normal in the three men. The proportion of sperm with disomy, trisomy and tetrasomy for chromosome 18, and the sex chromosomes in each patient was 100%, 76%, and 82.5%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Specific morphologic abnormalities of sperm may be associated with higher incidence of chromosomal abnormalities. Resolving infertility by offering patients in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection must be approached with caution because of the significant risk for embryonic aneuploidy and chromosomal abnormalities in any subsequent offspring.
Lewis-Jones
Iwan
I
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Aziz
Nabil
N
Seshadri
Srividya
S
Douglas
Angela
A
Howard
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D002467:Cell Nucleus; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002887:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18; D041321:Chromosomes, Human, X; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D012729:Sex Chromosome Aberrations; D013077:Sperm Head; D013082:Sperm Tail; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000648:ultrastructure*