Increased frequency of X-bearing sperm in males from an infertility clinic: analysis by two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization.
Semen samples from 34 men visiting the Lübeck infertility clinic were investigated using a two-color FISH method to determine the ratio of X- and Y-bearing sperm. The overall ratio was significantly shifted to a preponderance of X-containing sperm. A statistical comparison with seven reports from the literature which included 53 normal probands demonstrated in our patients a significant tendency of a preponderance of X-bearing sperm and significantly less Y-bearing sperm. Furthermore, the Lübeck sperm samples are remarkably more heterogeneous in respect to their variability of X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa than in the other mentioned studies with normal probands. These phenomena have to be evaluated in further studies on groups of infertile males showing similar infertility histories.
Johannisson
R
R
Institute of Pathology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany. johannisson@patho.mu-luebeck.de
Leuschner
E
E
Hüppe
M
M
Hinrichs
F
F
Al-Hasani
S
S
Diedrich
K
K
Schwinger
E
E
Mennicke
K
K
D000328:Adult; D041321:Chromosomes, Human, X; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007248:Infertility, Male; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology; D019849:Sex Determination Processes; D013094:Spermatozoa