Alterations in the morphology and motility of spermatozoa: relation with total sperm count

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in sperm morphology and motility in patients with different sperm counts, and to search the influence of sperm morphology over sperm motility. Materials and methods:We evaluated semen analysis of 1174 males admitted to infertility clinic using "Makler counting camber" for evaluation of number and motility, and strict criteria (Kruger-Tyberg) for the morphological assessment. According to total sperm count, patients were divided into three groups; group I (n=119) had <5x10 6 /mL, group II (n=125) had 5-15x10 6 /mL, and group III (n=930) had ≥15x10 6 /mL total sperm count. The groups were compared in terms of motility, morphology and the distribution of sperm abnormalities. Results: Sperm motility was significantly lower in groups I-II compared to group III (p<0.01). In the semen analysis, normal sperm morphology above 4% was detected in 7.1% of group II, 17.5% of group III, and none in group I (p<0.01). Significantly less tail defects were detected in group III compared to others (p<0.01). Progressive sperm motility significantly correlated with morphology (r=0.38, p<0.001). Among morphologic abnormalities, tail problems were highly correlated with nonmotile sperm count (r=0.30, p<0.001). Tail defects correlated positively with midpiece (r=0.24, p<0.001), and negatively with head defects (r=-0.71, p<0.001). Normal sperm morphology had a negative relation with tail and midpiece defects (r=-0.20, p <0.001 and r=-0.30, p<0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Sperm motility and morphology were deteriorated with the decreasing sperm count in subfertile population. The chance of finding normal morphology above the critical value of 4% diminishes in cases with sperm counts less than 5x10 6 /mL. Therefore, it is logical to canalize these patients directly to assisted reproductive technologies.Pam Med J 2013;6(1):1-4

Untitled

“…Morphologically normal sperm besides the concentration and motility of sperm are good indicators of semen quality, as ability to fertilize the oocyte (17). Morphological normal sperms with low rate have been correlated with lower infertility rate in males (18).This was in contrast with the results of this study, as the MNS showed a significant increase using activation techniques especially in the DGC with TAD 600mg Glutathione. In addition to that, the components of liquid artificial medium may improve the percentage of MNS and progressive motility because it dilute and reduce the semen viscosity (16).…”

Relationship amongst teratozoospermia, seminal oxidative stress and male infertility

“…The resulting percentage of abnormal spermatozoa as well as specific structural abnormalities may serve as an indicator of a defective mechanism related to spermatozoa production and/or maturation [ 1 ] and is a valuable predictor of spontaneous pregnancies and fertilization success in assisted reproductive technology (ART) [ 7 - 9 ]. Furthermore, abnormal spermatozoa morphology has been linked not only to a decrease of traditional parameters of semen quality [ 10 - 12 ] but also to an increase in contemporary markers of sperm damage, such as DNA fragmentation [ 1 , 2 ] or reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Semen analysis and sperm function parameters in patients with infertility in Navi Mumbai and Panvel region

“…They studied that sperm morphological defects increases with decreasing sperm count. 33 Only few studied the defects with normal sperm counts also. 34 Defects in the head are the most common defects.…”

“…These defects increase with decreasing sperm count. 33 Amorphous head is a defect with genetic aberration, so this is a severe form and incapable of fertilization. Globozoospermia small round head with no acrosome are also genetically determined and due to the absence of acrosin unable to bind to zona pellucida.…”