Silver staining and the 17ps chromosome

Lack of silver staining of a variant chromosome 17 and its failure of involvement in satellite association indicate that this variant is a heteromorphism rather than a translocation of satellited material from any other acrocentric chromosome.

Incidence of chromosomal rearrangements in couples with reproductive loss

We report on 50 couples with reproductive loss did not have any detectable chromosome abnormality. A history of a previous child with multiple congenital abnormalities may be significant in identifying couples with a structural rearrangement. Only by studying more families can this hypothesis be tested. Studies of abortus tissue reveal a high percentage of chromosome abnormalities but a very low incidence of unbalanced translocations. Cytogenetic studies are indicated in a couple which has a past history of spontaneous abortions and a previous child with multiple congenital anomalies.

Transferrin C subtypes and spontaneous abortion

The transferrin C subtypes were studied in relation to spontaneous abortion and a number of different genetic markers and traits. Among mothers with a history of spontaneous abortion an increased frequency of the C2 gene and especially of the C2 type was found. A correlation was found between the maternal C2 type and the placental alkaline phosphatase variant F, which previously has been shown to be associated with spontaneous abortion. The mechanism behind the intrauterine selection implied is unlikely to be immunological incompatibility between mother and fetus. No association was found with ABO and Rh blood groups, Hp and Gc serum groups, the pregnancy zone protein (PZ), red cell acid phosphatase types and birth weight.

Chromosome variants and abnormalities detected in 51 married couples with repeated spontaneous abortions

Chromosome analysis of 51 married couples with repeated spontaneous abortions revealed a normal female karyotype in all wives, whereas 39 (76.5%) husbands showed a normal Y chromosome, 10 (19.6%) a Yq+, one (1.9%) a Yqs and one (1.9%) two Y chromosomes. The high incidence of Yq+ found in this investigation correlates with previous reports and indicates that the risk of spontaneous abortions is increased when the male partner has a large Y chromosome.

Heterochromatic polymorphism in spontaneous abortions

Since the advent of C-banding as a routine diagnostic procedure, the significance of heterochromatic polymorphism has been questioned. Some workers have considered variations in heterochromatin in chromosomes 1 and 9 to be associated with fetal wastage, recurrent abortions, and abnormal phenotypes. Over a 15-month period, this laboratory made a study of the diagnostic significance of heterochromatic variants in 50 couples with a history of recurrent abortions. A control group of 50 couples with at least two normal children and no miscarriages was investigated simultaneously. The results indicated no significant difference in the heterochromatic regions between aborting and non-aborting couples.

Etiologies and subsequent reproductive performance of 100 couples with recurrent abortion

From 1958 through 1977, 100 couples with documented recurrent reproductive failure were evaluated in the reproductive endocrine unit of the Medical College of Georgia. All couples underwent cytogenetic studies, radiologic evaluation of the Müllerian system, and timed endometrial biopsy. Recurrent pregnancy wastage was found to be associated with genetic disorders in 25 couples. Müllerian anomalies in 15, endocrine anomalies in 23, and negative findings in 37. The subsequent reproductive performance of each group is reviewed.

Familial translocation t(10;21)(q22;q22)

A family is described with a translocation t(10;21)(q22;q22) transmitted through three generations. This family was studied for the apparition of several miscarriages and two sisters with multiple malformations. Both children had a probably partial trisomy of chromosome 10 and a monosomy of chromosome 21 due to a maternal adjacent-2 meiotic segregation.

Two balanced translocations in three generations of a pedigree: t(7;10) (q11;q22) and t(14;21) (14qter to cen to 21qter)1

A reciprocal chromosome translocation between 7q and 10q and an unrelated Robertsonian translocation involving 14q and 21q were found in a healthy 44-year-old man, in his normal 18-year-old son, and in his mother. They were ascertained through the man's brother, whose grandson has Down's syndrome as a result of an inherited 14q21q translocation. To our knowledge, this is the second report of a karyotype with both reciprocal and Robertsonian translocations in a single subject, and only the fourth report of independently segregating double translocations occurring in more than one generation.

Genetic causes and workup of male and female infertility. 1. Prenatal reproductive loss

Studies show that the greatest check on human reproduction occurs prenatally in apparently fertile couples. Most chromosomally abnormal embryos are aborted spontaneously. This paper, to be published in three parts, reviews the major known anatomic, functional, genetic, and environmental causes of infertility and reproductive wastage. The second and third parts, to appear in succeeding issues, are concerned with chromosome abnormalities and congenital malformations in the period from birth to adult life and with the diagnostic workup of infertile men and women.

Chromosome analysis in cases with repeated spontaneous abortions

G-banded chromosome complements were analyzed from couples and individuals who had experienced 3 unexplained spontaneous abortions. One woman was found to be a carrier of a t(13q14q) chromosome; all other subjects had normal-appearing karyotypes. Banded chromosome studies are recommended for couples with repeated abortions in the absence of any apparent cause.

Familial dicentric translocation t(13;18)(p13;p11.2) ascertained by recurrent miscarriages

A dicentric translocation is described involving chromosomes 13 and 18 in which the centromere of chromosome 13 was suppressed. The translocation was ascertained by repeated miscarriages and was found in three generations of phenotypically normal carriers.

[Early repeated abortions and karyotypes. A cytogenic study of 80 consecutive couples (author's transl)]

The authors report the results of a cystogenic study of 80 couples (160 individuals) who had early repeated abortions. A significant karyotype abnormality was found in 5 per cent of the partners. Where a translocation of 2 heterological chromosomes is found in a partner, the recommendations is to attempt an antenatal diagnostic. Once a couple have had 2 abortions karyotype investigation is absolutely indicated.

Omphalocele and partial trisomy 1q syndrome

A male infant with partial trisomy 1q syndrome (46,XY,der(21),t(1;21)(q25;q22)pat) is described. Clinical findings include small for gestational age, hypoglycemia, ocular hypertelorism, microphthalmia, coloboma of the iris, low-set ears, beak nose, micrognathia, micropenis, cryptorchidism, presacral dimple, flexion contractures of the fingers, bifid thumb, Simian crease, and overriding toes. In addition, he had a large omphalocele not previously seen in trisomy 1q. Postmortem findings include underdeveloped cerebellum, a thymus with moderate depletion of thymocytes, a large PDA, ASD, small adrenal, and fatty change of the liver. The grandfather, father, and a male sibling have translocation t(1;21)(q25;q22). A family history of repeated spontaneous abortions is present.

[The role of chromosomes in the aetiology of human abortion]

Of 27 specimens of abortus tissue from first-trimester spontaneous abortions investigated, 26% had chromosome abnormalities. In contrast, the investigation showed that the incidence of chromosome abnormalities in 36 midtrimester cases was only 2,8%. Two of 19 ectopic pregnancies had abnormal chromosome complements.

An evaluation of cytogenetic analysis as a primary tool in the assessment of recurrent pregnancy wastage

Cytogenetic evaluation of couples with recurrent pregnancy wastage is frequently performed only after other possible etiologic factors have been excluded. Previous reports of studies using conventional and G-banding chromosome techniques in these couples have shown a higher frequency of translocations than that found in the general population. In the study reported here, both conventional and G-banded chromosome analyses were performed as a primary method of evaluation in 34 couples with recurrent fetal loss not ascertained by the birth of a child with a diagnosed chromosome disorder. Balanced translocations were found in 5 partners of the 34 couples studied. In only 2 of these cases was the translocation detected by conventional chromosome analysis. These results suggest that G-banded chromosome analysis should be a useful tool in the initial evaluation of couples with recurrent fetal wastage, rather than being recommended only after extensive investigation of other factors is unrewarding. The reproductive counseling of couples with a translocation detected on this basis is discussed.

A further case of a 22;22 Robertsonian translocation associated with recurrent abortions

A case of 22;22 Robertsonian translocation, identified in the husband of a woman who had five early abortions, is reported.