Male infertility in Northeast China: a cytogenetic study of 135 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia.

PURPOSES: To detect the frequency and types of chromosomal anomalies with non-obstructive azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia in Northeast China, and to compare the frequencies with other regions of China and the world. To investigate the general characteristics of this population.

METHODS

Eighty-one men with non-obstructive azoospermia and 54 men with severe oligozoospermia were recruited. Karyotype analyses were performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes using standard G-banding. Measurements of follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, prolactin, and inhibin B were obtained.

RESULTS

The frequency of chromosomal anomalies for patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (17.28%) was comparable with studies from Europe, Africa, Asia, and other regions of China. However, the frequency for patients with severe oligozoospermia (9.26%) was slightly higher than reported from other Asian countries. The infertile men were more likely than the fertile to smoke and consume alcohol, and to have significantly lower levels of inhibin B.

CONCLUSIONS

For infertile men in Northeast China, chromosome analysis is a necessary part of routine genetic testing, and the contributing effects of high smoking and alcohol consumption rates of this population should be discussed during genetic counseling.