Increased micronuclei frequencies in couples with reproductive failure

A higher incidence of chromosomal instability in the infertile population i s widely recognized. An increased level of micronuclei has been shown to be a marker of chromosome damage. Therefore, micronuclei frequencies were ass essed in cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes of 130 patients (65 couples) with idiopathic infertility or with two or more spontaneous abortions, and 30 he althy fertile donors (15 couples). The frequency of micronucleated cells in the cohort with reproductive failure and healthy controls averaged 14.95 /- 6.04 per 1000 and 10.60 +/- 2.57 per 1000 (P < 0.0001), respectively. Wh en micronuclei frequency sums in particular couples (male + female) were an alyzed in the same order, identical statistical significance was reached (P < 0.0001). We found no effect of age or sex on micronuclei frequency. In s ummary, the cytokinesis-blocked micronuclei assay revealed increased micron ucleus frequency in couples with infertility or two or more spontaneous abo rtions, suggesting a possible role of chromosomal instability in reproducti ve failure. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.