Cytogenetic and histological studies in a series of subfertile males

Cytogenetic and histological studies were carried out on a series of 68 men during investigations for subfertility. Somatic chromosome analysis identified 4 cases with abnormal karyotypes. Meiotic chromosome analysis identified 4 cases with abnormal meiosis. Analysis of cell stages of the spermatogenic cycle in cytogenetic preparations identified 12 cases with missing cell cycle stages. Histological analysis of tissue samples identified defects of the spermatogenic cycle in 23 cases. A kinetic model of spermatogenesis is used in order to relate the different types of abnormality to the spermatogenic cycle.