Karyotype Analysis among Selected Bangladeshi Azoospermic Male Infertile Patients
Abstract
Background: Male infertility is a global health concern, with genetic factors playing a crucial role in its etiology. Azoospermia, the absence of sperm in ejaculate, is often associated with chromosomal abnormalities. Karyotyping is a key diagnostic tool for identifying chromosomal alterations linked to male infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the karyotypic profiles of Bangladeshi azoospermic male infertile patients, highlighting the prevalence and clinical implications of chromosomal abnormalities.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Genomic Research Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from March 2022 to February 2023. Sixty-four azoospermic male patients aged 21–60 years were recruited through purposive sampling. Karyotyping was performed using the Giemsa banding (G-banding) technique following ISCN (2009) guidelines. Hormonal profiling and ultrasonographic assessments were conducted to evaluate testicular and endocrine abnormalities. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 25).
Results: Among the 64 patients, 6.25% had Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY), while 93.75% exhibited a normal karyotype (46,XY). Hormonal analysis showed that 6.3% of patients had abnormal testosterone, FSH, and LH levels, while 3.1% had abnormal prolactin and TSH levels. Ultrasonography revealed testicular abnormalities in 12.5% of patients, including bilateral small testes (6.25%) and epididymal cysts (3.1%). Antichlamydia antibodies were detected in 15.63% of patients, suggesting past or ongoing infections.
Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of karyotyping in azoospermic males, detecting Klinefelter syndrome in 6.25% of cases, aligning with global prevalence rates. Given that 93.75% had a normal karyotype, further genetic screening, including Y-chromosome microdeletion analysis and whole-genome sequencing, is recommended. Integrating karyotyping, molecular diagnostics, and genetic counseling into infertility management can improve clinical decision-making and reproductive outcomes.
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References
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