Chromosomal analysis and health status of children conceived to men during or following dibromochloropropane-induced spermatogenic suppression.

Although the mutagenic effect of Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) on experimental mammal systems has been described, its possible effect on the human genome has not yet been investigated. The present study describes the results of chromosomal analysis and health evaluation of offspring conceived to families during and after paternal exposure to DBCP. Ten children conceived during or following severe exposure and four who were conceived prior to DBCP exposure were evaluated. The chromosomal constitution of peripheral lymphocytes was normal in all cases. The mode of delivery, birth weight, physical examination and growth pattern were normal. No congenital malformations were detected. One spontaneous abortion out of 23 pregnancies was recorded. These results suggest that paternal exposure to DBCP, severe enough to cause azoospermia or oligozoospermia did not alter the paternal sperm genome or the chromosomal constitution of offspring conceived during or after exposure. This is further supported by the excellent health and lack of malformations among the children, along with the low rate of spontaneous abortions in the families studied.