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.