[Palindromic sequence-mediated de novo chromosome translocation in sperm samples derived from normal and oligospermic males].
OBJECTIVE
To systematically explore the occurrence of a novel type of chromosome translocation in human sperm samples.


METHODS
Specific translocation junction fragments were quantified using nested and/or multi-nested PCR in sperm DNA derived from 28 oligospermic patients and 32 normal controls.


RESULTS
t(11;22) was detected in 49 samples. At least 4 samples were found to have t(1;22) (p21.2;q11.2), t(17;22) (q11;q11) or t(X;22) (q27;q11). The mutation rate seemed to be associated not with age or semen volume, but with sperm concentration (r = -0.389, P < 0.05) and motility (r = -0.397, P < 0.05). Correlation was not found between homology of palindromic sequences and mutation rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Palindromic sequence mediated chromosome translocation is common in human sperm, and associated with sperm concentration and motility. Measurement of such mutations may provide a molecular-level reference for assessing sperm quality.
Wen
Ti
T
Department of Medical Genetics, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China.
Zhang
Jing-shu
JS
Ci
Jian
J
Zhao
Yan-hui
YH
Fei
Xiang
X
Wu
Bin
B
Li
Ling
L
D020856:AT Rich Sequence; D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D002880:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17; D002892:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22; D041321:Chromosomes, Human, X; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000235:genetics*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D014178:Translocation, Genetic