Interchromosomal effects for chromosome 21 in carriers of structural chromosome reorganizations determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization on sperm nuclei

We have used dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on decondensed sperm heads from four carriers of structural chromosome reorganizations, viz. t(3;15), t(Y;7), t(13;22) and inv(9), to assess the possible existence of an interchromosomal effect (ICE) on the segregation of chromosome 21. In the carriers of t(Y;7), t(13;22) and inv(9), all results were within the limits described in controls. A highly significant increase (P < 0.0001) of disomy 21 (1.90% v 0.37%), which could be considered as a positive ICE, was observed in the t(3;15) carrier. Significantly higher percentages (P < 0.0001) of diploid sperm (5.71% v. 0.27%) were also observed in this patient. Our results suggests that the occurrence of an ICE may depend on the reorganization and on the chromosome and chromosome regions involved, resulting in a particular meiotic behaviour (presence of unsynapsed regions, preferential meiotic configurations) that could lead to the observed increase in chromosome 21 disomies. Further studies with this technical approach in a wide range of structural reorganizations could help to elucidate the actual occurrence of ICEs.