Cytogenetic abnormalities in patients with reproductive dysfunction

Yun, Jeong Sup; Jang, Sung Kyoo; Choi, Ook Hwan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between chromosome abnormalities and male or female reproductive dysfunction and to be convinced of the role of pericentric inversion of chromosome 9 (inv (9)) on human phenotypes.
METHODS
Between Jan. 1995 and Dec. 2003, results of 1713 chromosomal analyses which were referred to our cytogenetic laboratory were analyzed. Study groups consisted of 658 cases of men and 18 cases of women with unexplained infertility, 65 cases of men and 109 cases of women with history of recurrent spontaneous abortion, 78 cases of women with primary amenorrhea, 61 cases of women with secondary amenorrhea and, 382 cases of men and 342 cases of women with no reproductive dysfunction (control group). The incidence of inv (9) among each group was compared with control group.
RESULTS
Chromosomal abnormalities were found in 110 cases (16.7%), 2 cases (11.1%), 3 cases (4.6%), 15 cases (13.8%), 29 cases (37.2%) and 10 cases (16.4%) in each group. The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in male infertility was higher than previous reports, and 10 cases of inv (9) were detected in male infertility group. In cases of women with infertility and secondary amenorrhea, we couldn't find the relevance between reproductive dysfunction and chromosomal abnormality. In cases of women with recurrent spontaneous abortion, 6 cases (5.5%) had autosomal translocation and 7 cases (6.42%) had inv (9). In cases with primary amenorrhea, most chromosomal abnormalities found were related to sex chromosome such as Turner's syndrome, similar to other investigations. Thirty three cases of inv (9) was detected among the whole 1713 chromosomal analyses (1.93%). In cases of male infertility, 10 cases (1.52%) had inv (9), not significantly different with male control group. But 7 cases (6.42%) of inv (9) in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion were significantly higher than female control group (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Because considerable proportion of patients with reproductive dysfunction had various cytogenetic abnormalities, the chromosomal analysis should be considered as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of reproductive dysfunction such as infertility, recurrent spontaneous abortion, and amenorrhea. We also found that Inv (9) had a significantly increased incidence in female recurrent spontaneous abortion.