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.

Heterozygosity and allele frequencies of the two VNTRs (ApoB and D1S80) in Iranian population.

Genetic markers are used for identity testing and paternity analysis depends on knowing the allele frequencies in the population. Minisatellites show allelic variability in the number of repeat units. We have studied the allele frequencies and heterozygosity of two VNTRs (ApoB and D1S80) in Iranian populations. A total of 96 and 82 chromosomes were analyzed by PCR and gel electrophoresis for ApoB and D1S80 respectively. In the ApoB system, allele 37 was the most common followed by allele 35 whereas allele 23 was the most common followed by allele18 at the D1S80 locus. Observed heterozygosity was relatively low in ApoB than D1S80 locus, however, no significant differences were found between observed and expected heterozygosity.