WHY IS THE REPRODUCTIVE-PERFORMANCE LOWER IN BECKER (BMD) AS COMPAREDTO LIMB-GIRDLE (LGMD) MUSCULAR-DYSTROPHY MALE-PATIENTS

We had previously reported that patients affected with BMD have a sign ificantly reduced reproductive performance (f = 0.12) as compared to m ale LGMD patients of similar age and physical impairment (f = 0.98). I n the present study parameters such as the socio-econemic level, as we ll as psychosocial, intellectual, and psychiatric functionings could n ot explain the low fitness of BMD patients. The effect of genetic coun seling, a greater difficulty in coping with the disease, and relating to women and/or a potential malfunction of reproductive physiology are discussed as possible causes. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.