Translocation breakpoints of chromosome 3 in male carriers: a report of twelve cases and a review of the literature

Background/aim: This study aimed to explore the breakpoints in chromosome 3 translocation and the clinical features present in male carriers to enable informed genetic counseling of these patients. Materials and methods: A total of 5235 men who were infertile or receiving counseling for infertility were recruited. Cytogenetic analyses were performed using G-banding. A search for translocations on chromosome 3 involved in male infertility was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and CNKI. The relationships of translocation breakpoints with male infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss were also analyzed. Results: Among the 82 patients with balanced reciprocal translocations among 5235 male patients, 12 patients were carriers of chromosome 3 translocation: two presented with pregestational infertility, while 10 presented with gestational infertility. The breakpoint at 3p13 was related to pregestational infertility, whereas those at 3p23, 3q10, 3q12, 3q21, 3q25, and 3q29 were related to gestational infertility. By an analysis combining data from the literature, 63 carriers of chromosome 3 translocation were reviewed and all breakpoints at chromosome 3 were correlated with gestational infertility. Conclusion: All breakpoints at chromosome 3 were correlated with gestational infertility. The breakpoints at 3q12 and 3q29 were the most common. Carriers of chromosome 3 translocation should thus be counseled on the need for other chromosomal breakpoints and preimplantation genetic diagnosis or prenatal testing.