Chromosome karyotype analysis

G-banded chromosome karyotype analysis of cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes was carried out for all ART couples. At least 20 metaphases were analyzed, and five metaphases were karyotyped for each case. The banding resolution was 400–550 bands per haploid set (BPHS). Two independent researchers confirmed all slides, and the results were reported according to the ISCN 2009 after selective banding studies. C-banding and nucleolar organizing region (NOR) banding were conducted to assist the karyotype analysis. Distinct polymorphic variants of the lengths of the stalks (pstk) and the size of the satellites (ps) of the acro chromosomes were documented, and the variant was at least twice the size of its corresponding region on the other homolog. Polymorphic variations in centromeric heterochromatin length on the long arms of chromosomes 1, 9, and 16 (1qh, 9qh, and 16qh) were also recorded. Only consistent and very prominent polymorphisms were reported; additionally, it was noted that these were normal variants.