[Detection of numerical chromosome aberrations in sperm of workers exposed to benzene series by two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization].

OBJECTIVE

To study the numerical aberrations of sex chromosomes in sperm of workers exposed to benzene series.

METHODS

The interphase sperm from workers of exposed and control groups were hybridized using two color fluorescence in situ hybridization with X and Y(alpha)-satellite chromosome specific DNA probes, and the aneuploidy frequencies of X and Y chromosome in X and Y sperms were detected simultaneously.

RESULTS

Geometric mean concentration of benzene in workplace air was 83.95 mg/m(3), one fold higher than national maximum allowable concentration. A total of 74,517 sperm nuclei in 13 benzene-exposed workers and 89,662 sperm nuclei in 13 control workers were counted. Frequencies of disomic sperm for X, Y and XY were (0.15 +/- 0.05)%, (0.13 +/- 0.05)% and (0.20 +/- 0.11)% in workers exposed to benzene series, and (0.10 +/- 0.04)%, (0.10 +/- 0.04)% and (0.13 +/- 0.06)% in control workers. There was statistical difference in disomic frequency of X sperm and overall disomic frequency between the benzene series-exposed workers (0.15% and 0.48%, respectively) and the control workers (0.10% and 0.33%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Exposed to benzene at higher concentration may induce increase in aneuploidy frequency of sperm sex chromosome in exposed workers.