Semen analysis in subfertile balanced-translocation carriers.

The spermograms of 19 subfertile translocation carriers were analyzed. Most of these men had moderate oligo-/astheno-/teratospermia. The results were widely spread, and some reached normal values, suggesting that autosomal rearrangement of the karyotype does not lead to severe oligospermia or azoospermia as do sex chromosome aberrations. No statistically significant differences in sperm count, motility, or morphology were found when semen analysis results of subfertile balanced-translocation carriers were compared with those of subfertile men with normal karyotypes. Since semen analysis alone is insufficient to allow prediction of an autosomal rearrangement of the karyotype, chromosome analysis should become a part of the routine investigation of subfertile men. The association between translocation heterozygosity and reduced fertility in men cannot be easily explained. The possible reasons underlying impaired spermatogenesis in some translocation carriers are discussed in relation to meiotic findings in animals.