Chromosomal translocation 3;22 in an infertile man.

OBJECTIVE

To present the first case of an infertile male with a normal phenotype and chromosomal translocation 3;22.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

POVISA Medical Center.

PATIENT(S): A 45-year-old man with primary infertility for 13 years and with different partners; the patient has a family history of recurrent miscarriages and low fertility.

INTERVENTION(S): Lymphocytic karyotype and electron microscopy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Physical examination and semen analysis.

RESULT(S): The semen analysis revealed oligoasthenoteratospermia. The lymphocytic karyotype detected a translocation 3;22, and electron microscopy showed a lack of the central microtubule pair and peripheral doublet.

CONCLUSION(S): An association between translocation 3;22 and other abnormalities in infertile males has been reported, but no such association has ever been described in men whose only clinical manifestation is infertility.