Chromosome study on couples with habitual abortion (1st report).

Abstract

This study was undertaken to see whether chromosome abnormalities were a major factor in the etiology of habitual abortions. If chromosome abnormalities were a common occurrence in couples with a history of habitual abortion, a recommendation for inclusion of chromosomal analysis in habitual abortion would be important, since the need to counsel patients with regard to future pregnancies would be obvious. Furthermore, these couples would be a good source for study on transmission of chromosomal abnormalities of various types throughout kindreds. The subjects selected were 35 couples with a history of repeated abortions, especially in the early stage of pregnancy, who had no organic changes under clinical examinations. Cytogenetic studies performed on these couples revealed five structural abnormalities. The five structural abnormalities were 46XX, Dps+, 46XY, Gps+, 46XY*, Gps+ (*long Y) and two cases of long Y. These structural abnormalities are found in normal human chromosomes, but it is not proved whether these abnormalities have any genetical activity in habitual aborters.