[The immotile cilia syndrome as a cause of sterility]

We investigated the relationship between ciliary dyskinesia--commonly referred to as inmotile cilia syndrome--and sterility. In the past two years, we have accurately diagnosed 6 new cases of a total of 20 suspected as having this condition. To make the diagnosis, complete clinical, radiological, ultrastructural and spermatic work up was performed. All males in the fertile age were found to be sterile with spermatozoides with no motility. Sterility may initially go undetected in these patients due to early intense ORL and respiratory symptoms they present. However, mild forms of this disease entity may be asymptomatic and patients may consult for sterility with a clinical picture of scantily florid chronic bronchitis like that of smokers. Coincidental situs inversus may be useful in making the diagnosis.