Single cell translocations in couples with multiple spontaneous abortions.

Single cell translocations have been previously reported to occur in normal lymphocyte cultures. Comparison of the frequency of these in 140 individuals referred for a history of multiple miscarriages and 415 individuals referred for a history of multiple miscarriages and 415 individuals referred for other reasons showed a significantly greater number of single cell translocations in the former group. This group also had a significantly greater number of other types of single cell structural abnormalities. Increased chromosome instability, chromosome mosaicism, residual fetal trophoblasts, and immunological differences are discussed in considering the possible etiology.