The value of chromosomal analysis in oligozoospermic men.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities in relation to sperm concentration in subfertile oligozoospermic men. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Two teaching hospitals. PATIENT(S) We retrospectively studied all men who received chromosomal analysis prior to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment from 2000 to 2010 in two teaching hospitals. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The results of chromosomal analysis and semen analysis were recorded. The frequency of abnormal karyotypes was analyzed in relation to the sperm concentration, categorized as extreme oligozoospermia (>0 to ≤1 million/mL), severe oligozoospermia (>1 to ≤5 million/mL), moderate oligozoospermia (>5 to ≤20 million/mL), or normospermia (>20 million/mL). RESULT(S) Among 582 male ICSI candidates, the rates of abnormal karyotypes were 1.2% (2/162), 2.2% (5/227), and 1.5% (2/130) for men with extreme, severe, and moderate oligozoospermia, respectively. No abnormalities were present in normospermic men. CONCLUSION(S) The risk of conceiving a viable child with unbalanced structural chromosomal abnormalities in men with oligozoospermia may not justify karyotyping.