Jy. Wang et al., Fluorescence in-situ hybridization analysis of chromosomal constitution inspermatozoa from a mosaic 47,XYY/46,XY male, MOL HUM REP, 6(7), 2000, pp. 665-668
Sex-chromosome mosaicism in spermatozoa from a mosaic 47,XYY[20%]/46,XY[80%
] male with fertility problems was assessed using triple-probe fluorescence
in-situ hybridization (FISH) studies. Chromosome-specific probes for X, Y
and 18 were used, and the possible outcomes were deduced; In normal haploid
spermatozoa of the patient and a normal 46,XY male control, the X:Y ratio
was close to 1:1. There was a significant difference in the total incidence
of karyotypically abnormal spermatozoa between the patient and the 46,XY m
ale control (2.31% versus 1.46%, P < 0.0001). The incidence of some types o
f disomic spermatozoa X+Y+18 (24,XY) and X+18+18 (24,X, +18), or diploid XY+18+18 (46,XY) spermatozoa was significantly increased in the patient's se
men sample. There was, however, no significant difference in the incidence
of disomic Y + Y + 18 (24,YY) spermatozoa. Because the majority of the pati
ent's spermatozoa was karyotypically normal, the aetiology of his fertility
problems was unclear. These results add to the growing body of information
regarding chromosome abnormalities in spermatozoa from men who are mosaic
for sex chromosome abnormalities. In these men, FISH analysis of spermatozo
a may be warranted to determine the relative percentages of abnormal cells,
and to determine if in-vitro fertilization with preimplantation genetic di
agnosis may increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.