Implications of sperm chromosome abnormalities in recurrent miscarriage.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to assess the existence of sperm chromosome abnormalities in recurrent pregnancy loss in an assisted reproduction program.

METHODS

In this prospective study, 12 sperm samples from couples undergoing in vitro fertilization with two or more first-trimester spontaneous abortions were analyzed. Diploidy and disomy in decondensed sperm nuclei were assessed for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X, and Y using two- and three-color fluorescence in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

Sex chromosome disomy in sperm samples from recurrent abortion couples was significantly increased compared to that from internal controls (0.84% vs 0.37%). In a subpopulation of seven couples who underwent oocyte donation, mean frequencies for sex chromosome disomy (1%) were even higher and diploidy (0.43%) was also significantly increased.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest an implication of sperm chromosome abnormalities in some cases of recurrent pregnancy loss.