Disomy rates for chromosomes 14 and 21 studied by fluorescent in-situ hybridization in spermatozoa from three men over 60 years of age

Mol Hum Reprod. 1998 Jul;4(7):695-9. doi: 10.1093/molehr/4.7.695.

Abstract

In order to further investigate the paternal-age effect on meiotic non-disjunction rates for the chromosomes 14 and 21, we examined spermatozoa from three men aged > 60, using multicolour fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH). More than 10,000 sperm cells were analysed for each of the three subjects (A, B and C), by simultaneously hybridizing two YAC probes specific for chromosomes 14 and 21 respectively using two-colour FISH. The results show that the disomy 21 rates observed in the spermatozoa of two out of the three men aged > 60 years were higher (1.02 and 1.17% respectively) than the rates observed in eight control adults aged < 30 years (mean frequency 0.48%) analysed under similar conditions. These results suggest that there may be a small effect of age on male non-disjunction rates for chromosome 21. However, before any firm conclusions could be drawn, a much bigger sample of older men would have to be compared with a paired control population using the same FISH experimental approach.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chromosomes, Artificial, Yeast
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21*
  • Diploidy*
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nondisjunction, Genetic*
  • Paternal Age*
  • Spermatozoa / chemistry*