Chromosome studies in male patients suffering from infertility

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to estimate the contribution of chromosome anomalies in the Iraqi infertile males.

METHODS: Sixty-four male patients were included in the present study. Blood culture and chromosomal harvesting were conducted according to standard methods.

RESULTS: The percentage of normal karyotype was 87.5%. The number of abnormal karyotypes constitute about 12.5%. In our azoospermic patients, about 11% of patients stated to have abnormal karyotype comparing to 15% in oligospermic patients. On the other hand, sex chromosomal anomalies were detected in 4 patients with azoospermia. No autosomal anomalies were found in this group. Meanwhile, 3 patients with sex chromosomal anomalies were recorded in oligospermic patients. The unique autosomal anomaly was detected in one oligospermic patient.

CONCLUSION: Karyotyping of subfertile males will still be important not only from a diagnostic viewpoint, but even more importantly, in order to gain a better understanding of gametogenic impairment, which is associated with chromosomal abnormalities. Moreover, the value of cytogenetic screening is emphasized since this group of chromosomally abnormal patients can be excluded from conventional treatment.