Resolving Paradoxes of Robertsonian Translocations

Abstract

Since Robertsonian translocations (ROB) are essential in the etiology of congenital malformations and reproductive disorders, it is natural to assume that they represent a thoroughly studied subject. However, on closer inspection, there are poorly studied areas within this field. The aim of this report is to present results of a comprehensive analysis of available data collected by researchers worldwide that allows a new look at the problems mentioned above. There were determined rates and spectrums of ROB in the general population and in patients with reproductive disorders. The comprehension of a female-based sex ratio (male-to-female ratio) among newborn carriers of balanced nonhomologous ROB in the general population leads to a conclusion on the mechanism of sex-specific correction of translocation trisomy, which might explain both inexplicably low occurrence of rob-associated uniparental disomy and phenomenon of “non-Mendelian-inheritance.” The data obtained indicate that female ROB carriers are at a much higher risk of uniparental disomy compared to male ROB carriers. In the majority of asymptomatic male carriers of homologous translocation/isochromosome (HT), spermatogenesis is not impaired. An analysis of sex ratio among ill-defined HT carriers showed a difference between patients with Prader-Willi syndrome and Angelman syndrome, indicating different mechanisms of HT formation.