Spermatozoa with chromosomal abnormalities may result in a higher rate of recurrent abortion.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether sperm aneuploidy can lead to abortion.

DESIGN

Clinical study.

SETTING

Couples with reproductive problems evaluated in a private diagnostic laboratory.

PATIENT(S): Two men whose wives had histories of multiple abortions.

INTERVENTION(S): Whole and Percoll-processed semen samples were analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The results of fluorescence in situ hybridization.

RESULT(S): Aneuploidy rates in Percoll-processed samples were higher than those found in whole specimens. Aneuploid spermatozoa also displayed greater motility.

CONCLUSION(S): Sperm aneuploidy should be studied before and after Percoll capacitation in all couples with unexplained infertility.