Interindividual Variations in the Disomy Frequencies of Human Spermatozoa and their Correlation with Nuclear Maturity as Evaluated by Aniline Blue Staining

Objective: To evaluate the importance of interindividual variations in the disomy frequencies of human sperm and their possible correlation with the principal semen parameters.

Design: Prospective randomized analysis of sperm nuclei by fluorescence in situ hybridization and analysis of semen parameters.

Setting: University-based laboratory for reproductive biology.

Patient(s): Fifty-seven human ejaculates selected at random from a population of men undergoing semen analysis.

Intervention(s): Semen specimens were analyzed, and sperm samples were prepared for fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Semen parameters, including necrozoospermia, global motility, sperm concentration, multiple abnormalities index, and teratozoospermia were evaluated, aniline blue staining was completed, and disomy frequencies for chromosomes 8, 15, 18, X, and Y were determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Result(s): Noticeable differences in disomy frequencies between individuals were observed, and these frequencies were correlated with the degree of nuclear maturity.

Conclusion(s): We hypothesize that the positive correlation can be explained by an abnormality of chromosomal segregation at the time of meiosis that would cause disturbances during the transition of nucleoprotein or by one or several premeiotic abnormalities of chromatin that would perturb both the meiotic process and the construction of definitive proteins.