Successive spontaneous abortions with diverse chromosomal aberrations in human translocation heterozygote

A patient who had 3 first-trimester spontaneous abortions (blighted ova) was found to be carrying a balanced 13/14 Robertsonian translocation. In the 2 cases cytogenetically analyzed, different chromosomal aberration were found (trisomy 16 and supernumerary D elements). Histologic examination of the placentas of all 3 abortions revealed hypovascular or avascular villi, hydropic degeneration, and occasional atypical stromal (Hofbauer-like) cells. In 2 cases the decidua was examined by light microscopy and was diffusely inflamed with a plasmolymphocytic infiltrate. The relation of the maternal translocation to the repeated abortions with chromosome anomalies is discussed.

Fetal loss and familial chromosome 1 translocations

A structural abnormality of chromosome No. 1 was found in two families who had a history of repeated abortions. The propositus in Family H was a low birth weight, malformed infant who had a partial trisomy of 1g. His mother and a sibling were balanced carriers of a t(1;4) (q25;135). In family B, the 29-year-old phenotypically normal propositus and his mother were found to be balanced carriers of a t(1;12) (p12;q24). It is suggested that the fetal wastage in both families was related to the abnormal karyotypes of the parents. These two families also provide an opportunity to further understand the effect of an abnormality of chromosome number 1 on phenotype.

Anti-PP1Pk (anti-Tja) and habitual abortion

Blood group incompatibility as a cause of early or habitual abortion has been a matter of much debate. However, the abortion rate in such cases is much higher than that found in the general population. Two sisters having the rare genotype pp and anti-PP1Pk (anti-Tja) in their serum were reported as having habitual abortions; a third sister, with a normal P group, had a normal obstetric history. The relationship of anti-PP1Pk (anti-Tja) to the high rate of habitual abortion was discussed and added support was given to the existing evidence that certain maternal blood group antibodies can affect embryos early in uterine life.

Recurrent abortions and paternal balanced translocation t(lq--;13q+)

A healthy husband showing balanced simple translocation (1q--;13q+) is presented. The relevance of these findings to genetic counselling prompted by recurrent abortion in his wife is discussed.

A case of ring 18 chromosome in a sibship with multiple spontaneous abortions

We report the study of a female infant with physical stigmata suggestive of 18 chromosomes deletion, in whom cytogenetic studies revealed a 446,XX,r(18) complement. She was the last born of a sibship of seven composed otherwise by three spontaneous abortions, two perinatal deaths and one living female. The chromosome studies of the parents were normal. The cytogenetic finding and the phenotype are discussed in relation to the 18 chromosome deletion syndromes. The phenotype of the propositus would indicate that her ring 18 is significantly deficient of long arm segment. The apparent sporadic occurrence of this chromosomal anomaly in this family is discussed.

Translocation +(7p+; Bq-) associated with recurrent abortion

A balanced translocation was found in a normal female with a history of four abortions. On the basis of the Giemsa-banding pattern the abnormality was interpreted as to be a translocation of a part of the long arm of chromosome 13 to the short arm of chromosome some 7:t(7;13)(7qter leads to 7p22::13q14 leads to 13qter;13q14 leads to 13pter::7p22 leads to 7 pter). Problems in genetic counseling are discussed with respect to this case.

[Cytogenetic study of 30 couples having had several spontaneous abortions]

In 30 couples consulting after two or more failed pregnancies, the authors detected two women with reciprocal translocation in the heterozygous condition: t (5 ; 6) (q 35 ; q 21) in one case. t (5 ; 10) (q 15 ; q 25) in the other case. In both cases, there was, later, birth of a normal boy of karyotype 46, XY. It thus appears obvious that the balanced structural changes which occur in the fertility of these couples, reduces the latter.

Familial translocation 15-22. A possible cause for abortions in female carriers

A familial Robertsonian translocation 15/22 was ascertained through a female carrier whose four pregnancies ended in missed abortions. Eleven 15/22 translocation carriers were detected in three generations among 23 family members investigated. The four proven female carriers, apart from the proposita, have miscarried seven out of 14 pregnancies. The kindred suggests that the 15/22 translocation in female carriers may cause an increased risk for miscarriage.

Craniorachischisis in a partially trisomic 11 fetus in a family with reproductive failure and a reciprocal translocation, t(6p plus;11q minus)

A familial reciprocal translocation t(6p+;11q−) is presented, unbalanced (6p+) in the craniorachischisic propositus and balanced in his phenotypically normal father, associated with relative infertility, multiple spontaneous abortions, and failure to produce normal offspring. The karyotype-phenotype relationship is discussed with reference to other published cases of partial trisomy for the distal portion of the long arm of chromosome 11, and the concept of deletionunmasking is briefly considered. The occurrence of major neural groove closure defects due to a variety of translocations in mice is noted. The gametic segregation of balanced and unbalanced karyotypes is unique to each particular translocation making recurrence risk projections hazardous in the absence of prior experience with the particular translocation. The questions of the relative importance of genetic inheritance, chromosomal abnormalities, and many environmental factors including possible specific teratogens in causing neural groove closure anomalies are still unsettled. The paucity of published chromosome studies in these malformations is noted. We urge that cytogenetic studies with banding techniques be undertaken on these cases and their parents in order to expand basic knowledge of the role of chromosomal errors in their aetiology.

A family with two translocations and a polymorphism involving chromosome 14

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