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The causes of primary sterility are complex and frequently difficult to elucidate. Cytogenetic anomalies are responsible for sterility in 5-10% infertile couples.Analysis of genetic background of primary sterility in 35 infertile couples.72h cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes, GTG and CBG banding, fluorescence in situ hybrydization (FISH) with whole chromosome painting (WCP) probes. Karyotype analysis was performed in each patient out of 35 infertile couples referred to genetic counsel. SRY and CFTR gene mutation analysis by PCR was performed in all men with abnormal sperm.Chromosome aberrations were found in 6 couples. Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY) was disclosed in 2 men. Isochromosome i(Xq) was found in 1 woman. The structural balanced translocations were found in 2 men; t(15;16)(q13;p13.3), t(1;19)(p35;q13.3) and a robertsonian translocation t(14;21)(q10;q10) in one. All men with chromosome aberrations had sperm anomalies: oligozoospermia, astenozoospermia, cryptozoospermia or azoospermia. There was a CFTR mutation, deltaF508, in one man and no SRY mutation in molecularly examined men with sperm abnormalities.In couples with primary sterility mainly the men are carriers of chromosome aberrations (CA). Because of 17.14% risk of the presence of chromosome aberrations in these couples, cytogenetic analysis should be an obligatory element of infertility diagnosis.

About 10-15% of clinically diagnosed pregnancies end by spontaneous abortion. One of the causes of recurrent abortions is the presence of chromosome aberrations in a parent. The paper presents the results of cytogenetic investigations in 107 couples referred to genetic council clinic because of at least 2 spontaneous abortions. Cytogenetic analysis was performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes after standard 72h PHA-stimulated culture. At least 20 GTG- and CBG-banded metaphases were analyzed in each patient. Fluorescence in situ hybridization technique was used as to precisely define cytogenetic results. Chromosome aberrations were found in 7 couples (6.54%), exclusively in women. Numerical aberration (47,XXX) was present in 1 woman, and balanced structural aberrations in 6 (5.61%). In 3 of them balanced translocations were disclosed: t(7; 19)(p13;p13.3), t(8;16)(q24;q22), and t(3;8)(q21;p21), in 2--inversions: inv(2)(p25q31), inv(17)(p12p13.3), and in 1--der(20). Pericentric inversion of chromosome 9 was found in 3 men. The analysis of nongenetic factors showed that neither age, nor congenital anomalies of uterus could be an important factor causing abortions in analyzed couples with aberrations. However, infections and muta- or teratogenic exposure could contribute to loss of pregnancies in some cases. Authors conclude that karyotype analysis should be an integral part of diagnostics in couples with recurrent abortions.