Role of chromosome abnormalities in couple infertility in Cotonou

Genetic etiologies of infertility are little mentioned in Africa, mainly due to the lack of technical genetics platforms in many African countries. Identifying these genetic factors involves the use of cytogenetic and molecular genetic techniques. In this retrospective study spanning 13 years, we assessed the role of chromosomal anomalies in the etiology of couple infertility in Benin. This study included patients admitted to the cytogenetics laboratory of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Cotonou for a cytogenetic examination as part of a couple infertility exploration from January 2010 to December 2022. Out of 1996 karyotype requests, 205 karyotypes were carried out to explore the couple's infertility (10.27%). We found 5.34% numerical anomalies and 7.28% structural anomalies. These findings highlight the significance of cytogenetic analyses in the etiological investigation of couple infertility in Benin and enable the establishment of adequate genetic counseling for infertile couples.