Cytogenetic Survey of Subfertile Males in Japan

Chromosomal analysis of 554 consecutive Japanese male patients attending a subfertility clinic revealed 18 (3.2%) major chromosomal aberrations. The incidence of sex chromosomal anomalies and autosomal anomalies is 1.3 and 2.0%, respectively, which is significantly higher than that for the general population. All 7 sex chromosomal anomalies were found among the azoo- or oligozoospermic patients, while the incidence of autosomal anomalies for the normozoospermic patients was statistically similar to that for the azoo- or oligozoospermic patients. Therefore, cytogenetic analysis is recommended not only for patients with reduced sperm density but also for subfertile patients with normozoospermia.