Analysis of Chromosomal Abnormality in Male Infertility / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Chromosomal abnormality is the major cause of male infertility. We evaluated the usefulness of chromosome analysis for searching the etiology of male infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Karyotypes of 375 cases with male infertility except postvasectomy infertility were analyzed. The comparison between sexchromosomal abnormality and autosomal abnormality in various clinical parameters, serum hormonal levels and sperm density was done. RESULTS: Of 375 cases, 57 cases(15.2%) of chromosomal abnormalities were found, consisting of 42 cases(73.7%) of sex chromosomal abnormality(38 Klinefelter's syndrome with mosaicism, 1 sex reverse syndrome, 1 true hermaphroditism, 1 Y chromosome deletion, and 1 sex-chromosome translocation with autosome), 13 cases(22.8%) of autosomal abnormality(7 translocation and 6 inversion) and 2 cases(3.5%) of normal variant. Of various clinical parameters and serum hormonal levels, only testicular volume and serum testosterone level revealed significant statistical difference between sex chromosomal and autosomal abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the chromosomal analysis should be the first line aid in searching etiology of the male infertility.