Thirty-two new cases with small supernumerary marker chromosomes detected in connection with fertility problems: detailed molecular cytogenetic characterization and review of the literature.
Thirty-two patients with fertility problems were identified as carriers of small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC). Molecular cytogenetic techniques were used to characterize their chromosomal origin. Together with the other cases available in the literature 111 sSMC cases have now been detected in connection with fertility problems in otherwise clinically healthy persons and characterized for their genetic content. According to this study, in 60% of the cases the sSMC originated from chromosomes 14 or 15. Euchromatic imbalances were caused by the sSMC presence in 30% of the cases. Notably, in 53% of infertile sSMC carriers, the sSMC was parentally transmitted. As we found indications of an as yet unknown mechanism for the elimination of sSMC from the human gene pool, sSMC could also play a role in elucidating the process of chromosome gain and loss during evolution. Nonetheless, further detailed molecular analysis will be necessary in the future to characterize the mechanisms and genetic basis for this phenomenon.
Manvelyan
Marina
M
Institute of Human Genetics and Anthropology, Kollegiengasse 10, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
Riegel
Mariluce
M
Santos
Monica
M
Fuster
Carme
C
Pellestor
Franck
F
Mazaurik
Marie-Luise
ML
Schulze
Bernt
B
Polityko
Anna
A
Tittelbach
Hanne
H
Reising-Ackermann
Gisela
G
Belitz
Britta
B
Hehr
Ute
U
Kelbova
Christina
C
Volleth
Marianne
M
Gödde
Elisabeth
E
Anderson
Jasen
J
Küpferling
Peter
P
Köhler
Sigrid
S
Duba
Hans-Christoph
HC
Dufke
Andreas
A
Aktas
Dilek
D
Martin
Thomas
T
Schreyer
Isolde
I
Ewers
Elisabeth
E
Reich
Daniela
D
Mrasek
Kristin
K
Weise
Anja
A
Liehr
Thomas
T
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000235:genetics; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002871:Chromosome Banding; D020223:Chromosome Painting; D002883:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 / Q000235:genetics; D002884:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15 / Q000235:genetics; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D022041:Euchromatin / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000235:genetics*; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000235:genetics; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D012196:Review Literature as Topic
D022041:Euchromatin