engleski

Heteromorphisms of Contitutive heterochromatin in Patients with Infertility

Problem: In order to investigate the possible role of constitutive heterochromatin in human reproductive ability, a new quantitative cytogenetic analysis using computerised image analysis system was made. Method of Study: Analyses were made on C-banded and DA/DAPI banded metaphase chromosomes. C-banded metaphase spreads were analyzed in 45 infertile patients and 18 controls, while DA/DAPI metaphase spreads were analyzed in 16 patients and 14 controls. The heteromorphisms of C- and DA/DAPI bands of human chromosomes 1, 9, 16 and Y was evaluated through their relative area and, in case of DA/DAPI bands, relative intensity of fluorescence measurement. Results: The results showed no difference between samples for each chromosome 1, 9, 16 and Y and for the total amount of C-heterochromatin in the cell. Analysis of DA/DAPI heteromorphism revealed statistically significant difference between tested and control females for chromosome 16 (p<0.01). No difference was found in the amount of DA/DAPI banded material for each chromosome 1, 9, 16 and Y between sexes or in the total amount of DA/DAPI banded heterochromatin between tested and control patients. Conclusions: The results of both analyses support the hypothesis of the compensatory mechanism that keeps the total amount of heterochromatin in the cell constant. They also suggest the possible effect of chromosome 16 DA/DAPI heterochromatin to reproductive performance in women. The underlying mechanism through which heterochromatin of chromosome 16 would express its effect is hardly predictable.

heterochromatin; GTG-banding; DA/DAPI-banding; infertility; computerised imaging

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