CONDITION REFERENCE
Macrozoospermia
Information from MedlinePlus Genetics about this condition and how it can be inherited.
About this condition
Macrozoospermia is a condition that affects only males. It is characterized by abnormal sperm and leads to an inability to father biological children (infertility).
In affected males, almost all sperm cells have abnormally large and misshapen heads. The head of the sperm cell contains the male's genetic information that is to be passed on to the next generation. Normally, the head of a sperm cell contains one copy of each chromosome. In men with macrozoospermia, the sperm cell head contains extra chromosomes, usually four copies of each instead of the usual one. This additional genetic material accounts for the larger head size of the sperm cell. Additionally, instead of having one tail (flagellum) per sperm cell, affected sperm have multiple flagella, most often four.
Because of the additional genetic material, if one of these abnormal sperm cells combines with an egg cell, the embryo will not develop or the pregnancy will result in miscarriage.
Inheritance
- Autosomal recessive
A condition can have several forms with different inheritance patterns. Each pattern may apply to a different gene or form of the condition.
Related genes
MedlinePlus lists these genes for this condition. Open a gene page to read any available ClinGen reviews and ClinVar records.
YOUR DNA FILE
What can your DNA file tell you?
Your DNA file only includes the positions your test checked and reported. Consumer DNA kits usually test selected positions. Sequencing files can also leave out positions that were not reported or where the test could not give a result.
A variant missing from your file does not mean you tested negative for it. A ClinVar classification applies to a particular variant and the condition or finding it was reported for. It does not apply to everyone with that gene. An uncertain finding cannot establish a diagnosis.
BioDecode reads supported DNA files on your computer. It cannot fill gaps in your test, diagnose a condition or replace clinical testing.
Sources and dates
The source information on this page last changed on 2026-09-18.
MedlinePlus Source details
Source release: Fri, 18 Sep 2026 05:17:13 GMT
Source publication: 2020-08-18
Source review: 2015-01
SHA-256: fdc8bd614310c12718379cef6569962e5d0e791cecabcc355b53a72816ac263a
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