Cytogenetic abnormalities in 222 infertile men with azoospermia and oligospermia in Iran: Report and review

BACKGROUND: Infertility affects approximately 10%-15% of couples in reproductive age. In half of the couples, causes are male-related, associated with impaired spermatogenesis. There is a complex correlation between genetics and infertility. Several factors affect on gametogenesis, from which factors that lead to chromosomal abnormalities are one of the best known. The aim of this study was to determine type and rate of chromosomal abnormalities in infertile azoospermic and oligospermic males in Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of a total of 222 participants were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: As a whole we observed 13.96% chromosomal abnormality, from which 12.15% showed numerical and 1.8% showed structural abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Comparison of our results with the review of the literature shows a higher incidence (4- fold) of gonosomal, in particular, numerical gonosomal, chromosomal anomalies. Cytogenetic analysis is strongly suggested for infertile men, particularly in those who suffer from azoospermia.