Sperm fluorescent in situ hybridisation study of interchromosomal effect in six Tunisian carriers of reciprocal and Robertsonian translocations

Sperm Meiotic Segregation Analysis of Reciprocal Translocations Carriers: We Have Bigger FISH to Fry

Reciprocal translocation (RT) carriers produce a proportion of unbalanced gametes that expose them to a higher risk of infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and fetus or children with congenital anomalies and developmental delay. To reduce these risks, RT carriers can benefit from prenatal diagnosis (PND) or preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Sperm fluorescence in situ hybridization (spermFISH) has been used for decades to investigate the sperm meiotic segregation of RT carriers, but a recent report indicates a very low correlation between spermFISH and PGD outcomes, raising the question of the usefulness of spermFISH for these patients. To address this point, we report here the meiotic segregation of 41 RT carriers, the largest cohort reported to date, and conduct a review of the literature to investigate global segregation rates and look for factors that may or may not influence them. We confirm that the involvement of acrocentric chromosomes in the translocation leads to more unbalanced gamete proportions, in contrast to sperm parameters or patient age. In view of the dispersion of balanced sperm rates, we conclude that routine implementation of spermFISH is not beneficial for RT carriers.

FISH analysis of numerical chromosomal abnormalities in the sperm of robertsonian translocation der(13; 14)(q10;q10) carriers

Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of numerical chromosomal abnormalities in the sperm of Robertsonian translocation der (13;14) (q10;q10) carriers has focused on a limited number of chromosomes mainly on chromosome 13, 18, 21, X, and Y. Here, we aimed to expand the analysis to all chromosomes by increasing the number of probes analyzed in fluorescence in situ hybridization. The incidence of numerical abnormalities of all chromosomes (1-22, X, and Y) was determined in sperm from 10 carriers of the Robertsonian translocation der(13;14)(q10;q10) and 10 normozoospermic males to fully assess the effect of translocation-derived chromosome on the segregation of all chromosomes during meiosis. Numerical abnormalities of the two translocated chromosomes were frequently detected in the sperm of der (13;14) translocation carriers, with an average frequency of 14.55% ± 6.00% for chromosome 13 and 13.27% ± 4.14% for chromosome 14. Numerical abnormalities of nontranslocated chromosomes, with an average frequency of 1.77% ± 0.62% (range, 1.16%-3.73%), was lower than that of translocated chromosome. However, the cumulative numerical abnormality of the 22 nontranslocated chromosomes was comparable to that of the two translocated chromosomes. Significantly increased numerical abnormalities in der(13;14) translocation carriers compared with those in normozoospermic males indicates the presence of translocation-derived chromosome disturbances, with translocated chromosomes being most affected; nontranslocated chromosomes were also affected, but to a lesser extent due to a mild interchromosomal effect.

The spectrum of chromosomal translocations in the Arab world: ethnic-specific chromosomal translocations and their relevance to diseases

Chromosomal translocations (CTs) are the most common type of structural chromosomal abnormalities in humans. CTs have been reported in several studies in the Arab world, but the frequency and spectrum of these translocations are not well characterized. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review to estimate the frequency and spectrum of CTs in the 22 Arab countries. Four literature databases were searched: PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science, from the time of inception until July 2021. A combination of broad search terms was used to collect all possible CTs reported in the Arab world. In addition to the literature databases, all captured CTs were searched in three chromosomal rearrangement databases (Mitelman Database, CytoD 1.0 Database, and the Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Hematology), along with PubMed and Google Scholar, to check whether the CTs are unique to the Arabs or shared between Arabs and non-Arabs. A total of 9,053 titles and abstracts were screened, of which 168 studies met our inclusion criteria, and 378 CTs were identified in 15 Arab countries, of which 57 CTs were unique to Arab patients. Approximately 89% of the identified CTs involved autosomal chromosomes. Three CTs, t(9;22), t(13;14), and t(14;18), showed the highest frequency, which were associated with hematological malignancies, recurrent pregnancy loss, and follicular lymphoma, respectively. Complex CTs were commonly reported among Arabs, with a total of 44 CTs, of which 12 were unique to Arabs. This is the first study to focus on the spectrum of CTs in the Arab world and compressively map the ethnic-specific CTs relevant to cancer. It seems that there is a distinctive genotype of Arabs with CTs, of which some manifested with unique clinical phenotypes. Although ethnic-specific CTs are highly relevant to disease mechanism, they are understudied and need to be thoroughly addressed.

Analysis of sperm chromosomes in six carriers of rare and common Robertsonian translocations

Introduction: Robertsonian translocation (RobT) is the central fusion of the long arms of two acrocentric chromosomes, leading to 45 chromosomes in humans. The most common ones are rob(13;14) and rob(14;21) (91%). Other types of RobT are so-called rare cases. In the general population RobTs occur with a frequency of approximately 0.123%, but among men with reproductive failure this value rises 9-fold. Infertility in RobT carriers is associated with the formation of unbalanced spermatozoa resulting from segregation of the chromosomes involved in trivalent during the meiotic prophase. In spermatozoa of many RobT carriers an increased level of chromosomal aneuploidy is observed. Materials and Methods: We examined the hyperhaploidy level of chromosomes 7, 9, 18, 21, 22, X and Y in spermatozoa of 6 RobT unrelated carriers: two carriers with rare rob(13;15), one with rare rob(13;22), and three of the common rob(13;14). Results were compared with the control data from a group of 7 fertile men with a normal karyotype. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was applied. Results: We found an increased level of sperm aneuploidy regarding at least one of the analyzed chromosomes in each of the carriers, while in rare RobTs interchromosomal effect (ICE) was observed. Meiotic segregation pattern of a rare rob(13;15) carrier revealed the 76% of normal /balanced spermatozoa. Disucussion: Due to the relatively high population frequency of RobTs, their influence on reproductive failure, hight risk of imbalancement in prenatal diagnosis (7%), and small amount of data for rare RobTs, each newly characterized case is valuable in genetic counseling.

Meiotic Heterogeneity of Trivalent Structure and Interchromosomal Effect in Blastocysts With Robertsonian Translocations

Background

Robertsonian translocations are common structural rearrangements and confer an increased genetic reproductive risk due to the formation of trivalent structure during meiosis. Studies on trivalent structure show meiotic heterogeneity between different translocation carriers, although the factors causing heterogeneity have not been well elaborated in blastocysts. It is also not yet known whether interchromosomal effect (ICE) phenomenon occurs in comparison with suitable non-translocation control patients. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the factors that cause meiotic heterogeneity of trivalent structure and the ICE phenomenon.

Methods

We designed a retrospective study, comprising 217 Robertsonian translocation carriers and 134 patients with the risk of transmitting monogenic inherited disorders (RTMIDs) that underwent preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Data was collected between March 2014 and December 2019. The segregation products of trivalent structure were analyzed based on the carrier’s gender, age and translocation type. In addition, to analyze ICE phenomenon, aneuploidy abnormalities of non-translocation chromosomes from Robertsonian translocation carriers were compared with those from patients with RTMIDs.

Results

We found that the percentage of male carriers with alternate segregation pattern was significantly higher [P < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 2.95] than that in female carriers, while the percentage of adjacent segregation pattern was lower (P < 0.001, OR = 0.33). By contrast, no difference was observed between young and older carriers when performing stratified analysis by age. Furthermore, segregation pattern was associated with the D;G chromosomes involved in Robertsonian translocation: the rate of alternate segregation pattern in Rob(13;14) carriers was significantly higher (P = 0.010, OR = 1.74) than that in Rob(14;21) carriers, whereas the rate of adjacent segregation pattern was lower (P = 0.032, OR = 0.63). Moreover, the results revealed that the trivalent structure could significantly increase the frequencies of chromosome aneuploidies 1.30 times in Robertsonian translocation carriers compared with patients with RTMIDs (P = 0.026), especially for the male and young subgroups (P = 0.030, OR = 1.35 and P = 0.012, OR = 1.40), while the mosaic aneuploidy abnormalities presented no statistical difference.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that meiotic segregation heterogeneity of trivalent structure is associated with the carrier’s gender and translocation type, and it is independent of carrier’s age. ICE phenomenon exists during meiosis and then increases the frequencies of additional chromosome abnormalities.

How much, if anything, do we know about sperm chromosomes of Robertsonian translocation carriers?

In men with oligozoospermia, Robertsonian translocations (RobTs) are the most common type of autosomal aberrations. The most commonly occurring types are rob(13;14) and rob(14;21), and other types of RobTs are described as 'rare' cases. Based on molecular research, all RobTs can be broadly classified into Class 1 and Class 2. Class 1 translocations produce the same breakpoints within their RobT type, but Class 2 translocations are predicted to form during meiosis or mitosis through a variety of mechanisms, resulting in variation in the breakpoint locations. This review seeks to analyse the available data addressing the question of whether the molecular classification of RobTs into Classes 1 and 2 and/or the type of DD/GG/DG symmetry of the involved chromosomes is reflected in the efficiency of spermatogenesis. The lowest frequency value calculated for the rate of alternate segregants was found for rob(13;15) carriers (Class 2, symmetry DD) and the highest for rob(13;21) carriers (Class 2, DG symmetry). The aneuploidy values for the rare RobT (Class 2) and common rob(14;21) (Class 1) groups together exhibited similarities while differing from those for the common rob(13;14) (Class 1) group. Considering the division of RobT carriers into those with normozoospermia and those with oligoasthenozoospermia, it was found that the number of carriers with elevated levels of aneuploidy was unexpectedly quite similar and high (approx. 70%) in the two subgroups. The reason(s) that the same RobT does not always show a similar destructive effect on fertility was also pointed out.

Small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC) and male infertility: characterization of five new cases, review of the literature, and perspectives

PURPOSE

To characterize small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC) in infertile males RESEARCH QUESTION: Are molecular cytogenetic methods still relevant for the identification and characterization of sSMC in the era of next-generation sequencing?

METHODS

In this paper, we report five males with oligoasthenozoospermia or azoospermia with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss in partnership in four cases. R-banding karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis were performed and showed sSMC in all five cases. Microdissection and reverse-FISH were performed in one case.

RESULTS

One sSMC, each, was derived from chromosome 15 and an X-chromosome; two sSMC were derivatives of chromosome 22. The fifth sSMC was a ring chromosome 4 complemented by a deletion of the same region 4p14 to 4p16.1 in one of the normal chromosomes 4. All markers were mosaics except one of sSMC(22).

CONCLUSION

Through this study, we emphasize the necessity of a proper combination of high-throughput techniques with conventional cytogenetic and FISH methods. This could provide a personalized diagnostic and accurate results for the patients suffering from infertility or RPL. We also highlight FISH analyses, which are essential tools for detecting sSMC in infertile patients. In fact, despite its entire composition of heterochromatin, sSMC can have effects on spermatogenesis by producing mechanical perturbations during meiosis and increasing meiotic nondisjunction rate. This would contribute to understand the exact chromosomal mechanism disrupting the natural and the assisted reproduction leading to offer a personalized support.

Investigation of the interchromosomal effects in male carriers with structural chromosomal abnormalities using FISH

OBJECTIVE

The interchromosomal effect (ICE) refers to the uncertainty during meiosis where the rearrangement of the chromosomes affects the segregation of the chromosomes that are not involved in the structural chromosomal abnormalities. The aim of this study is to investigate the existence of ICE in the sperm nuclei of the males who have structural chromosomal abnormalities.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Nine male individuals who are the carriers of the structural chromosomal abnormalities (patient group) and 14 male individuals who did not have any chromosomal abnormalities (control group) were diagnosed by the classical cytogenetic analysis. The aneuploidy of chromosomes 2, 3, 12, 13, 17, 18, 21, X, and Y in the sperm nuclei was investigated using the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method in these individuals. The patient group included 5 Robertsonian translocation (ROB) carriers, 3 reciprocal translocation (RCP) carriers, and 1 inversion carrier.

RESULTS

A total of 51921 sperm nuclei were analyzed (19484 from the patient group and 32437 from the control group). While ICE was determined in 4 of 5 patients who were the carriers of ROB and an inversion carrier patient, it was not determined in the patient carrier of RCP.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that there is ICE in the male carriers with a structural chromosomal abnormality, which appears to be translocation, breakpoint, chromosome, and patient dependent.