OBJECTIVETo study the technique of dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization(D-FISH) and its application value in sperm chromosomes of Robertsonian translocation carriers.

METHODSThe technique of dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization was used. Biotin labelled 13q14.3 specific probe and Digoxigenin labeled 14q11.1 specific probe were used for in situ hybridization of sperm specimens in 2 Robertsonian translocation carriers. Hybridization signals for chromosomes 13 and 14 in the sperm interphase nucleus were counted.

RESULTSUnder the microscope, Biotin labeled 13q 14.3 specific probe showed 1 green hybridization signal and Digoxigenin labeled 14q 11.1 specific probe showed 1 red hybridization signal. Interphase nucleus counter-stained with DAPI showed blue. From the total of 3,000 sperm interphase nuclei, the positive rate for 1 green hybridization signal and 1 red hybridization signal was 13q/14q(39.33%), for 1 green and 2 red was 13q/14q, 14q(11.57%), for 1 green was 13q/-(9.27%), for 2 green and 1 red was 13q,13q/14q(12.87%), for 1 red was -/14q(9.87%) and for 2 green and 2 red was 13q,13q/14q, 14q(12.26%).

CONCLUSIONSD-FISH of the human sperm interphase nucleus can be applied to the determination of sperm chromosomes of Robertsonian translocation carriers and the analysis of the laws of chromosomal segregation in the meiosis. The technique can be widely used in such aspects of human reproduction as insemination under the microscope and preimplantation embryos genetic diagnosis.