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Supernumerary minute ring chromosome 14 in a man with primary infertility and left varicocele.

Stahl BC, Patil SR, Syrop CH, Sparks AE, Wald M

Department of Urology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1089, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of supernumerary minute ring chromosome (SMRC) in an infertile man, with the concurrent finding of a left varicocele. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Urologic infertility clinic in a university hospital. PATIENT(S): Male patient presenting with primary infertility. INTERVENTION(S): Karyotyping, genetic counseling, and microsurgical left varicocelectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Sperm concentration and motility, chromosomal number and structure. RESULT(S): Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealing SMRC 14. Sperm concentration and motility improved after left varicocele repair. CONCLUSION(S): A karyotype should be included in the evaluation of severe oligospermia. Although SMRC 14 may be associated with fertility problems, repair of a coexisting varicocele should be considered in these patients.

Published 4 May 2007 in Fertil Steril, 87(5): 1213.e1-3.
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