Intra-individual and inter-individual variations in sperm aneuploidy frequencies in normal men

Objective: To investigate whether there are intra-individual and/or inter-individual variations in sperm aneuploidy frequencies within the normal male population, and, if this is the case, whether they are sporadic or time-stable variants. Design: Prospective study. Setting: University research laboratory. Patient(s): Ten men aged 18-32 years. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to investigate sperm aneuploidy frequencies for chromosomes X, Y; 13, and 21 in serial semen samples collected over a period of 12-18 months. Result(s): Intra-individual and inter-individual variations were investigated by comparing serial samples from tire same donor and by comparing the donors with each other, respectively. Infra-individual variations were found in all 10 donors for at least one investigated chromosome; variations tended to he sporadic events affecting only one time point. Inter-individual variations were found for all chromosomes (except XX and YY disomy and disomy 21), with :three men identified as stable variants, consistently producing higher levels of aneuploidy for at least one of titer following aneuploidies: sex chromosome nullisomy; disomy 13, or diploidy, Conclusion(s): These results suggest that there are a number of factors and mechanisms that have the potential to r sporadically or consistently affect sperm aneuploidy. (Fertil Steril (R) 2009;91:185-92. (c) 2009 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)