The significance of autosomal C-band size polymorphism in male infertility.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to assess the possible role of autosomal C-band size polymorphism in male infertility. METHODS Two-hundred male patients with clinical diagnosis of infertility and 100 normal controls were included in the present investigation. All patients were assessed by Urologist Consultant at the Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Kufa University, Kufa, Iraq, during a 2-year-period, October 1999 to October 2001. C-band evaluation was based on both quantitative and qualitative methods. Blood culture, chromosome harvesting, and C-band technique were carried out according to standard methods. RESULTS 1. C-band quantitative study indicates a significant increase in the C- band size of chromosomes 9 and 16 among infertile groups as compared to normal fertile group (p<0.01). 2. C-band qualitative study indicates a significant increase in the C-band size (level 3) of chromosome number one among the infertile group as compared to normal fertile group (p<0.01). CONCLUSION The present findings require further extensive study to shed light on the possible correlation between C-band polymorphism and male infertility.