title: Semen analysis by electron and fluorescence microscopy in a case of partial hydatidiform mole reveals a high incidence of abnormal morphology, diploidy, and tetraploidy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To perform a highly detailed semen analysis in a man whose wife had a partial mole.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gynecology departments of two university hospitals and a laboratory of histology/embryology.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 32-year-old man whose wife had a partial mole.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sperm characteristics were examined by light microscopy, morphology was analysed by electron microscopy (TEM), DNA fragmentation was evaluated by TUNEL using fluorescence microscopy, and chromosomal abnormalities were assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization using probes for chromosomes 13, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, X, and Y.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sperm count, motility, morphology, DNA fragmentation, and incidence of diploidy, tetraploidy, and aneuploidy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sperm concentration was 61 million/mL, with 31% progressive motility and 4% normal morphology. TEM revealed a high incidence of head, neck, and tail abnormalities as well as the presence of phagocytes. DNA fragmentation was within normal limits (11.6%). Aneuploidy levels were low for all chromosomes tested. However, there was a high level of diploidy, with XY, XX, and YY constitution. Tetraploid sperm (XXYY) were also noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Semen analysis revealed a high incidence of abnormal morphology and increased diploidy. It may be important to perform FISH testing, to verify increased diploidy in sperm, in men whose wives have had partial moles. These couples could be informed of the option to have preimplantation genetic diagnosis as a means to distinguish between diploid and triploid embryos arising from fertilization of a haploid egg by diploid sperm.
authors.affiliation: Section of Reproductive Medicine, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University Medical School, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. katerinachatzime@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chatzimeletiou
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sioga
authors.forename: Louisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oikonomou
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Charalampidou
authors.forename: Persa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kantartzi
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zournatzi
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Panidis
authors.forename: Dimitrios G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Goulis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Papadimas
authors.forename: Basil C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Tarlatzis
mesh_terms: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011003:Ploidies; D011247:Pregnancy; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D008727:Methotrexate