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. 1999 May;16(5):253–258. doi: 10.1023/A:1020315529090

Implications of Sperm Chromosome Abnormalities in Recurrent Miscarriage

Carmen Rubio 1, Carlos Simón 1,2, Joan Blanco 3, Francesca Vidal 3, Yolanda Mínguez 1, José Egozcue 3, Juana Crespo 1, José Remohí 1,2, Antonio Pellicer 1,2,✉
PMCID: PMC3455708  PMID: 10335472

Abstract

Purpose:Our purpose was to assess the existence of sperm chromosome abnormalities in recurrent pregnancy loss in an assisted reproduction program.

Methods:In this prospective study, 12 sperm samples from couples undergoing in vitro fertilization with two or more first-trimester spontaneous abortions were analyzed. Diploidy and disomy in decondensed sperm nuclei were assessed for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X, and Y using two- and three-color fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Results:Sex chromosome disomy in sperm samples from recurrent abortion couples was significantly increased compared to that from internal controls (0.84% vs 0.37%). In a subpopulation of seven couples who underwent oocyte donation, mean frequencies for sex chromosome disomy (1%) were even higher and diploidy (0.43%) was also significantly increased.

Conclusions:These results suggest an implication of sperm chromosome abnormalities in some cases of recurrent pregnancy loss.

Keywords: unexplained recurrent miscarriage, chromosome abnormalities, sperm, nuclei, fluorescence in situ hybridization

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