Sperm chromosome analysis of two males heterozygous for a t(2;17)(q35;p13) and t(3;8)(p13;p21) reciprocal translocation

Chromosome 17 translocation affects sperm morphology: Two case studies and literature review

We present two cases of infertile males with teratozoospermia stemming from chromosome 17 translocation. The patients present karyotypes that have not been previously reported. Genes located on breakpoints (17p11.2, 9q31, and 11p15) were analysed to find the probable mechanism affecting sperm morphology. Our results suggest that ALKBH5, TOP3A, and LLGL1 interactions may be an underlying cause of abnormal sperm head morphology. Translocation of chromosome 17 occurred in conjunction with chromosome 9 and chromosome 11 translocation in the two cases, resulting in oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia, respectively. These abnormal phenotypes may involve meiosis- and motility-related genes such as LDHC, DNHD1, UBQLN3, and NUP98. Translocation is thus a risk factor for sperm morphological abnormalities and motility deficiency. The interaction network of 22 genes on breakpoints suggests that they contribute to spermatogenesis as a group. In conclusion, this study highlighted the importance of investigating genes linked to sperm morphology, together with chromosome 17 translocation and reproductive risks. For patients interested in screening before a future pregnancy, we recommend preimplantation genetic diagnosis to reduce the risk of karyotypically unbalanced foetuses and birth defects.

Clinical features of carriers of reciprocal chromosomal translocations involving chromosome 2: report of nine cases and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical features of carriers of chromosome 2 translocations, enabling informed genetic counseling of these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-two male carriers of a translocation who were infertile or receiving fertility counseling were recruited. Cytogenetic analyses were performed using G-banding. A search of PubMed was performed to determine whether the identified translocations on chromosome 2 are involved in male infertility. The relationships of translocation breakpoints with male infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 82 translocation carriers, 9 (11%) were carriers of a chromosome 2 translocation. Four cases had oligozoospermia or infertility, while five had normal semen. In an analysis of the literature, 55 patients who were carriers of chromosome 2 translocations were also reviewed. Breakpoints at 2p13 and 2q31 were observed in six patients each, and were the most common. Breakpoints at 2p23, 2p13, 2p11.2, 2q31, and 2q37 were associated to both pre-gestational and gestational infertility, while other breakpoints were associated with gestational infertility.

CONCLUSIONS

All breakpoints at chromosome 2 were correlated with gestational infertility. Carriers of chromosome 2 translocations should therefore receive counseling to continue with natural conception and use of different technologies available via assisted reproductive technology, such as preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

FISH analysis with locus-specific probes in sperm from two translocation carrier men

Meiotic segregation of normal and derivative chromosomes was analysed in sperm samples from two balanced reciprocal translocation carrier men by use of dual-colour fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) technique. The translocations were t(4;8)(p15;p12) and t(15;22)(q(23:q13.2), and the digoxigenin-labelled FISH probes were specific to either the translocated or centric segments of the chromosomes involved in the translocations. A total of 1000 spermatozoa for each probe were analysed and the modes of segregation were described on the basis of signals in each sperm cell. The mean frequency of alternate and/or adjacent-1 (adj-1) segregation types was 69.47%, whereas they were 30.51 and 78.70% for the adjacent-2 (adj-2) and alternate/adj-2 segregation types, respectively. This study illustrated that FISH is a valuable technique for analysing the meiotic segregation products of the heterozygotes in respect to aneuploidy risk.

Sperm chromosome complements in a man heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation 46,XY,t(9;13)(q21.1;q21.2) and a review of the literature

Sperm chromosome complements were studied in a man heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation t(9;13)(q21.1;q21.2). A total of 89 spermatozoa were karyotyped after in vitro penetration of hamster eggs. The frequencies of alternate, adjacent 1 and adjacent 2 segregations were 46.9%, 35.8% and 17.3% respectively. For alternate segregation, the number of normal spermatozoa (21) was not significantly different from the number of spermatozoa carrying a balanced form of the translocation (17), as theoretically expected. The proportion of spermatozoa with an unbalanced form of the translocation was 53.1%. There was no evidence for an interchromosomal effect since the frequency of numerical abnormalities (unrelated to the translocation) was within the normal range of control donors. Data from a total of 31 reciprocal translocations studied by sperm chromosomal analysis were reviewed.