Fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis of sex chromosome in non-obstructive azoospermic men

The aim of this study was to compare results of karyotypes and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) technique among non-obstructive azoospermic men and to evaluate feasibility of using FISH to assess the types of major sex chromosome abnormalities. We compared results of karyotypes and FISH technique in those patients, and the association between genetic abnormality and clinical and hormonal parameters was evaluated. We studied 68 non-obstructive azoospermic men using conventional cytogenetics and FISH. Karyotyping revealed chromosomal abnormalities in 28 males (41%); the most common was Klinefelter syndrome (82%). FISH proved very effective in verifying low level of mosaisim in two cases with Klinefelter syndrome and complex chromosomal rearrangements in four cases with structural sex chromosome abnormalities. Our results indicate that genetic testing and screening is important in men with hypergonadotrophic azoospermia prior to the employment of assisted reproduction techniques. FISH analysis is recommended before discussing the risk of chromosomal aberrations in the offspring of infertile couples.