title: The role of Y chromosome C-band size polymorphism in male infertility with a reference to their effect on the total length of the chromosome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the contribution of chromosome on sperm production.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a 2 year period from October 1999 to December 2001 a total of 200 male patients were included in the present study. The study was carried out at Kufa Medical College, Kufa, Iraq. Blood culture, chromosomal harvesting, Giemsa stain, C-band technique and C-band size calculation have been conducted according to the standard methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistical differences have been recorded in the C-band size distribution level among the infertile groups compared to normal control. The functional relationship between C-band, euchromatin and the total length of the Y chromosome showed a strong correlation coefficient among the infertile groups (oligospermia, azoospermia) as well as the normal control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our qualitative study the C-band size of the Y chromosome has no effect on spermatogenesis. The decrease in the size of Y chromosome is due to the decrease in both the heterochromatin and euchromatin regions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, Kufa University, Kufa, Iraq. akeelyasseen@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Akeel A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Yasseen
authors.forename: Salih M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Al-Khafaji
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002871:Chromosome Banding; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics