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Chromosomal abnormalities in patients with oligozoospermia and non-obstructive azoospermia

  • Genetics
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To assess the frequency and types of chromosomal abnormalities in 204 Ukrainian patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and oligozoospermia and 87 men with normozoospermia.

Methods

Cytogenetic studies were performed on peripheral blood lymphocyte samples of 164 men with oligozoospermia, 40 men with non-obstructive azoospermia and 87 men with normozoospermia attending infertility clinic.

Results

Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 17 % of patients with sperm disorders: in 35 % of men with azoospermia and in 12.7 % of men with oligozoospermia. The frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in patients with sperm disorders was significantly higher, than in patients with normozoospermia (P = 0.0001). An increase in the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities with the decrease of sperm count was observed. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 1.1 % of patients with normozoospermia, 6.5 % of patients with mild oligozoospermia (sperm count 5–15 × 106/ml), 18.4 % of patients with severe oligozoospermia (sperm count <5 × 106/ml) and 35 % of patients with azoospermia. A significant increase in the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in patients with severe oligozoospermia was observed when compared to mild oligozoospermia (P = 0.01). A statistically significant association (P = 0.02) of chromosomal abnormalities and sex chromosome abnormalities (P = 0.0001) with azoospermia when compared to oligozoospermia was observed.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the importance of cytogenetic studies in patients with oligozoospermia (both mild and severe) and non-obstructive azoospermia. The presence of chromosomal abnormalities influences significantly the fertility treatment protocols, as well as provides a definite diagnosis to couples suffering from infertility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinic of Reproductive Medicine “Nadiya”, M. Kryvonosa St. 19a, Kyiv, 03037, Ukraine

    Larysa Y. Pylyp, Lyudmyla O. Spinenko, Natalia V. Verhoglyad & Valery D. Zukin

Authors
  1. Larysa Y. Pylyp
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  2. Lyudmyla O. Spinenko
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  3. Natalia V. Verhoglyad
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  4. Valery D. Zukin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Larysa Y. Pylyp.

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Capsule

Results of cytogenetic studies of Ukrainian men with infertility are presented. Increased incidence of chromosomal abnormalities was detected in patients with oligospermia and azoospermia warranting cytogenetic testing for these groups of patients.

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Pylyp, L.Y., Spinenko, L.O., Verhoglyad, N.V. et al. Chromosomal abnormalities in patients with oligozoospermia and non-obstructive azoospermia. J Assist Reprod Genet 30, 729–732 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-9990-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-9990-4

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