Meiotic recombination and errors during spermatogenesis

Abstract

It has been suggested that reduced recombination is associated with the production of paternally derived aneuploid gametes. Recent studies have shown major defects in recombination and synapsis of chromosomes in infertile men who have an increased frequency of aneuploid sperm. Given this information, the aim of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of human spermatogenesis and meiosis, and to investigate previous and current techniques used to further our understanding of chromosomal synapsis and genetic recombination. The chapter also covers the: current understanding of the timing and progression of synaptonemal complex (SC) formation, SC abnormalities, the frequency and variation of meiotic recombination in control males and azoospermic infertile males, and the clinical implications for meiotic recombination studies. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010.