Chromosomal analysis of sperm from men with idiopathic infertility using sperm karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if idiopathic infertile men having oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, or teratozoospermia have an elevated risk of transmitting chromosomal abnormalities to their offspring.

DESIGN

Sperm chromosomal complements from five somatically normal infertile men were assayed using the human sperm-hamster oocyte fusion system and the disomy frequencies for chromosomes 1, 12, and the sex chromosomes were determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization.

SETTING

Infertile men and normal donors were volunteers in an academic research environment.

PATIENTS: Five men with the appropriate semen characteristics were recruited among patients concerned about their infertility.

INTERVENTIONS: Sperm fused with hamster oocytes resulting in sperm chromosomes or the sperm nuclei were prepared for fluorescence in situ hybridization.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Structural and numerical abnormalities assessed by sperm karyotypes and the disomy frequency determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis.

RESULTS

The infertile men showed increased frequencies of numerical abnormalities and total abnormalities as determined by sperm karyotyping. Analysis of sperm nuclei by fluorescence in situ hybridization indicated a significant increase in the frequency of disomy for chromosome 1 and XY disomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Sperm from infertile men may contain an increased frequency of chromosomal abnormalities.