Analysis of sperm chromosome complements before, during, and after chemotherapy

Cancer Genet Cytogenet. 1999 Jan 15;108(2):133-6. doi: 10.1016/s0165-4608(98)00125-3.

Abstract

Sperm chromosomal abnormalities were assessed in testicular cancer patients before, during, and after BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin) chemotherapy (CT). Multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis was employed to detect aneuploidy for chromosomes 1, 12, X, and Y, and diploidy. Sperm samples were cryopreserved and coded before analysis to facilitate "blind" analysis. Complete results at all time points was available for only one patient. A total of 60,400 sperm were analyzed: 20,004 before CT, 20,005 during CT, and 20,391 after CT. There was a significant increase in the frequency of 24,XY sperm during (0.33%) and post-CT (0.34%) compared to pre-CT (0.14%). This study suggests that there may be a significantly increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities in sperm of CT patients during and immediately post-CT, similar to that shown in animal models.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Bleomycin / administration & dosage
  • Bleomycin / adverse effects
  • Chromosome Aberrations*
  • Chromosomes, Human*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage
  • Etoposide / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Spermatozoa / drug effects*
  • Spermatozoa / metabolism
  • Testicular Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Testicular Neoplasms / genetics*

Substances

  • Bleomycin
  • Etoposide
  • Cisplatin

Supplementary concepts

  • BEP protocol