Chromosomal segregation in spermatozoa of five Robertsonian translocation carriers t(13;14).

Purpose: To analyse the segregation of a Robertsonian translocation t(13;14) in five male carriers, and to verify a possible inter-chromosomal effect (ICE) of the Robertsonian translocation on chromosomes 18, X, and Y.

Methods: The spermatozoa of these patients (n = 5) and of 15 donors with normal semen parameters and 46,XY karyotype were analysed using triple colour FISH with locus specific probes for chromosomes 13, 14, and 21 and by triple colour FISH for chromosomes X, Y, and 18.

Results: The frequency of balanced spermatozoa resulting from alternate segregation varied between 62.