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Biomedical subjects

V Amice

Publications and source records attributed to V Amice.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Meiotic segregation analysis in spermatozoa of pericentric inversion carriers using fluorescence in-situ hybridization.

BACKGROUND: Pericentric inversions are structural chromosomal abnormalities resulting from two breaks, one on either side of the centromere, within the same chromosome, followed by 180 degrees rotation and reunion of the inverted segment. They can perturb spermatogenesis and lead to the production of unbalanced gametes through the formation of an inversion loop. METHODS: We report here the analysis of the meiotic segregation in spermatozoa from six pericentric inversion carriers by multicolour fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) and review the literature. RESULTS: The frequencies of the non-recombinant products (inversion or normal chromosomes) were 80% for the inv(20), 91.41% for the inv(12), 99.43% for the inv(2), 68.12% for the inv(1), 97% for the inv(8)(p12q21) and 60.94% for the inv(8)(p12q24.1). The meiotic segregation of 20 pericentric inversions (including ours) is now available. The frequency of unbalanced spermatozoa varies from 0 to 37.85%. The probability of a crossover within the inverted segment is affected by the chromosome and region involved, the length of the inverted segment and the location of the breakpoints. CONCLUSIONS: No recombinant chromosomes were produced when the inverted segment involved <30% of the chromosome length (independent of the size of the inverted segment). Between 30 and 50%, few recombinant chromosomes were produced, inducing a slightly increased risk of aneusomy of recombination in the offspring. The risk of aneusomy became very important when the inverted segment was >50% of the chromosome length. Studies on spermatozoa from inversion carriers help in the comprehension of the mechanisms of meiotic segregation. They should be integrated in the genetic exploration of the infertile men to give them a personalized risk assessment of unbalanced spermatozoa.

Adult↗

Interchromosomal effect in sperm of males with translocations: report of 6 cases and review of the literature.

Somatic chromosomal abnormalities are frequently found in infertile men, particularly in those with low sperm count and/or seeking intracytoplasmic sperm injection. These abnormalities mostly consist of numerical sex chromosome abnormalities and translocations (Robertsonian or reciprocal). In this study, we searched for the occurrence of non-disjunction of chromosomes not involved in translocations during meiosis, phenomenon called interchromosomal effect (ICE) and first described by Lejeune (1965). Ejaculate samples of two patients carrying a Robertsonian translocation and four a reciprocal translocation patients and four controls (men with a 46,XY karyotype and normal sperm parameters) were studied in dual FISH 7-9, dual FISH 13-21 and triple FISH X-Y-18. A statistically significant increase of disomy X, Y and XY (P = 0.009, P = 0.004, P < 0.001) was found in the Robertsonian der(13;14)(q10;q10) carrier but not in the der(14;21)(q10;q10) carrier compared with controls. Among reciprocal translocation carriers, a significant increase of disomy 21 (P = 0.033) was observed in a sole patient with a t(9;22)(q21;q11.2). The increase of meiotic non-disjunction for chromosome 21 and sex chromosomes is a recurrent event found in other studies. According to our results and published data, the ICE on some specific chromosomes is likely in men carrier of a translocation, although it cannot be excluded that the aneuploidy is related to the oligoasthenoteratozoospermia usually present in these men. Moreover, this phenomenon showed interindividual variations which cannot be predicted. The risk of aneuploidy in sperm of males used for ICSI need to be evaluated. It could be superadded to that of meiotic segregation of the translocation to give a more precise and personalized risk assessment of aneuploidy in the offspring of those men.

Adult↗

Chromosome aneuploidy in the spermatozoa of two men with globozoospermia.

The objective of this study was to determine the aneuploidy level in spermatozoa in two men with globozoospermia. Sperm nuclei were analysed by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) in two infertile males with globozoospermia. Dual FISH for chromosomes 7 and 9, 13 and 21, and triple FISH for chromosomes X, Y, and 18 was performed. The main outcome measured was meiotic segregation differences between both globozoospermic men and controls. A statistically significant difference in disomies 13 and 21 was found between patients 1 and 2. The diploidy rate of spermatozoa of patient 1 (0.876%) was significantly increased compared with that of patient 2 (0.304%) and control men (0.293%). In conclusion there seems to be a slightly increased frequency of aneuploidy in round-headed spermatozoa. However, it is unlikely that these aneuploid spermatozoa would be used in assisted reproduction techniques.

Adult↗

Lack of intraindividual variation of unbalanced spermatozoa frequencies from a 46,XY,t(9;22)(q21;q11.2) carrier: case report.

The meiotic segregation pattern of 83 men carrying a balanced reciprocal translocation between two autosomes has already been published. Nevertheless, the question of intraindividual variations has not been addressed yet. A 32-year-old patient was found to be a carrier of a t(9;22)(q21;q11.2) during the investigations for a couple with infertility for 3 years. Two sperm samples were obtained at more than 3 months interval. Both sperm samples were analyzed in triple FISH with the D9Z1 and LSI BCR/ABL ES translocation probes. The frequency of gametes exhibiting a chromosomal imbalance was 45.32% and 42.1% in samples 1 and 2, respectively, with the unbalanced spermatozoa resulting from adjacent 1, adjacent 2, and 3:1 segregation in decreasing frequencies. No statistically significant difference was found between both segregation profiles. Four studies have analyzed the meiotic segregation pattern of translocations within families; they found similar profiles of meiotic segregation in each family, but not between families. This suggests, along with our results, that meiotic segregation is not a random process. More studies on intraindividual variations are necessary to allow a better understanding of the meiotic behaviour of chromosomal rearrangements and the practical interest of studies of this kind.

Adult↗

Chromosomal abnormalities in couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection. A study of 370 couples and review of the literature.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is now widely acknowledged as the most effective therapeutic approach to severe male infertility or unsuccessful in vitro fertilization. Cytogenetic investigations were performed in 370 females and 335 males prior to ICSI between January 1997 and April 2003. Nine men (2.7%) and 48 women (13%) had an abnormal karyotype, 44 females having some degree of numerical sex chromosome mosaicism. A review of the literature showed the prevalence of all types of chromosomal abnormalities to be much higher among male and female partners of couples examined prior to ICSI than among newborns. As most ICSIs are performed with ejaculated spermatozoa from oligospermic men, the distribution and the prevalence of the several types of chromosomal abnormalities are closer to those of oligospermic rather than azoospermic males. Our results combined with those of the literature stress the importance of karyotyping both male and female partners before ICSI is started. Adequate genetic counselling, possibly followed by prenatal diagnosis, should be offered if a chromosomal anomaly is detected.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Sex chromosome mosaicism in couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown an increased frequency of constitutional chromosome aberrations in male and female partners of couples examined prior to ICSI. We conducted a cohort study to determine whether there was an increase in numerical sex chromosome mosaicism among couples undergoing ICSI compared with fertile couples. METHODS: Cytogenetic investigations were performed in 228 females and 208 males seen for ICSI between January 1997 and March 2001. They were matched to control females and males. RESULTS: Sex chromosome loss or gain was observed in at least one cell from 24.1% of ICSI women in comparison with 22% of controls (not significant). A significant difference between these two groups was found when X chromosome loss in at least two cells was considered, 9.6% for ICSI females versus 4.8% for controls (P = 0.01). No significant difference was observed between male groups concerning loss or gain of the X or Y chromosome. CONCLUSION: Our results support previously published studies indicating that the loss of an X chromosome in a single cell in females undergoing ICSI is probably an artefact. However, they suggest that a woman could have true sex chromosome mosaicism when two 45,X0 cells are found.

Adult↗

[Serologically detected HY antigen and its regulation].

The serologically detected, male predominant s HY Ag is a surface glycoprotein. The structural gene would be located on the 6th chromosome and regulated by gonosomal genes. The presence of testes (or testicular remenants) is linked to the s HY antigen expression in most abnormalities of sexual differentiation. However, the basal s HY Ag value is sometimes increased in the absence of any testicular tissue, as in virilized females (21-hydroxylase deficiency, idiopathic or ovarian hirsutism). Homogametic sex s HY Ag may increase to heterogametic sex values under the action of androgens in mammals and that of oestrogens in birds.

Female↗

Increase in H-Y antigen-positive lymphocytes in hirsute women: effects of cyproterone acetate and estradiol treatment.

To investigate a possible relationship between lymphocyte H-Y antigen expression and plasma androgen concentrations in hirsute women, 27 hirsute women were studied. A significant increase in the percentage of H-Y-positive lymphocytes was found in both hirsute women with idiopathic hirsutism [13.4 +/- 2.9% (+/- SD); n = 15] and hirsute women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (13.0 +/- 2.8%; n = 12) compared to that in normal women (10.0 +/- 1.9%; n = 30; P less than 0.0005). Plasma testosterone and androstenedione concentrations, % H-Y+ lymphocytes, and hirsutism scores diminished during oral cyproterone acetate (50 mg/day) and percutaneous estradiol (3 mg/day) treatment. Significant correlations between % H-Y+ lymphocytes and hirsutism scores (P less than 0.001), % H-Y+ lymphocytes and plasma T concentrations (P less than 0.01) were found. We conclude that 1) women can produce H-Y antigen in the same way as men; 2) hirsutism is associated with an increase in H-Y antigen; and 3) the antiandrogen cyproterone acetate reduces H-Y antigen expression on lymphocytes.

Adult↗

Gonadal tumor and H-Y antigen in 46,XY pure gonadal dysgenesis.

Six cases of Swyer's syndrome (46,XY pure gonadal dysgenesis) are reported. Three patients, without gonadal tumor, had female H-Y antigen. Three patients, after gonadal tumor ablation, had intermediate H-Y antigen levels. Repeated blood samples were obtained from two siblings. H-Y antigen level in the first sibling, who presented with a gonadoblastoma and underwent a gonadectomy before the H-Y assays, was intermediate, and did not show any significant variation for 21 months. H-Y antigen level in the second sibling showed an increase in the male range, presumably due to the presence of gonadoblastomas. After resection of the tumors, H-Y antigen level became intermediate. These findings suggest a relation between the tumorization potentiality of the gonadal remnants and the H-Y antigen levels in 46,XY pure gonadal dysgenesis.

Adolescent↗

Increase of lymphocytic H-Y antigen in female 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

H-Y antigen was found to be increased in lymphocytes from 10 female 21-hydroxylase deficiencies, suggesting a correlation between the degree of virilization of these patients and their H-Y + lymphocytes proportions. Furthermore, these findings demonstrate the ability of a 46,XX female subject to produce, in some circumstances, an excess of H-Y antigen.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗

[Y-chromosome polysomy and expression of the H-Y antigen].

The sex-differentiation H-Y antigen was studied in 5 males subjects with Y-chromosome polysomy. All had gonadal deficiency and significant decrease of H-Y antigen as compared with 77 normal 46, XY male controls. Men with additional Y-gonosomes may be hypogonadic or, more often, fertile, as was probably the case with the 3 patients with very high H-Y antigen titers previously described by other research workers. The phenotypic polymorphism of these subjects therefore seems to be parallel with their H-Y antigen polymorphism and there may be, in our 5 subjects, a relationship between abnormal spermatogenesis and H-Y antigen deficiency.

Adult↗

Allogeneic responses in vitro induced by fetomaternal alloimmunization.

The present study was undertaken in order to determine what type(s) of pregnancy-induced allogeneic reaction could alter MLC (mixed lymphocyte culture) reactivity in routine HLA-D typing of lymphocytes in multiparous women (MW) possessing antibodies against paternal HLA-DR antigens. Unresponsiveness to homozygous typing cells (HTC) representing a paternal and probably fetal HLA-DR determinant was frequently observed. Kinetics experiments ruled out an early secondary proliferative response to HTC representing the paternal HLA-D determinant, which would be missed in a classical long-term mixed lymphocyte culture. Direct cytotoxicity against paternal or panel target cells was not always associated with inhibition of proliferative response to the same stimulator cell. Specific anti-HLA-DR blocking activity (antibodies?) in the supernates of restimulation reactions of lymphocytes from MW could be responsible for this inhibitory effect. Moreover, the study points to the existence of suppressor cells in the immunized MW acting independently of specific restimulation. The in vitro suppression appeared to be selective, restricted to cells sharing HLA-D linked structures with the suppressor cells, and suggests that auto-regulator mechanisms could be induced in pregnancy in order to modulate antibody production.

Antibodies↗