Pericentric inversion of chromosome 5: a possible threat to male fertility?

Pericentric inversion of chromosome 5 (inv(5)(p12,q13] was diagnosed in two unrelated men with normal phenotype referred for infertility. The spermatogenic damage in these patients may be explained on the basis of the X-Y bivalent behaviour in cases of some balanced structural rearrangements of the chromosomes. The Authors propose a possible negative action of inv(5) in male gamete production and suggest a larger use of the chromosome analysis in the study of male infertility.