Vacuoles in sperm head are not associated with head morphology, DNA damage and reproductive success

Abstract

In this retrospective study of 873 men enrolled for assisted reproduction techniques, relationships between sperm quality parameters, motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME), DNA damage and live birth rate were evaluated. The presence of vacuoles in the sperm heads was detected by MSOME. Either chromatin decondensation or DNA fragmentation was used to study DNA damage. Results show that age significantly affected some of the examined parameters. In particular, sperm concentration was positively correlated (R = 0.088; P = 0.01) and chromatin decondensation was negatively correlated (R = -0.102; P = 0.003) with age. Furthermore, live birth rate was significantly lower in men aged 40 years or older (P < 0.02) compared with the younger age groups. The presence of sperm head vacuoles was not associated with head morphology, main sperm quality parameters, DNA fragmentation and live birth rate. Considering sperm heads in relation to the shape (normal/abnormal) and vacuoles (presence/absence), no significant variations in the occurrence of vacuoles in either normal or abnormal heads were found. These data suggest that vacuoles are physiological features that do not alter sperm functionality, and it seems that MSOME is not necessary for increasing the success of assisted reproduction techniques.

Stain‐free interferometric phase microscopy correlation with DNA fragmentation stain in human spermatozoa

“…In any case, the clinical significance of cytoplasmic vacuoles is a topic of debate in the clinical community. In some reports, it has been shown that there is a positive correlation between fractions of sperm with cytoplasmic vacuoles and those with DNA fragmentation , while different conclusions are drawn by other investigators that claim cytoplasmic vacuoles do not correlate with a significant difference in DNA fragmentation or with aneuploidy . Overall, IMSI was found by meta‐analysis to increase implantation and pregnancy rates as well as to decrease the chances of miscarriage in couples that had at least one failed ICSI attempt .…”

Ultrastructure of Spermatozoa from Infertility Patients

“…On the other hand, no correlation of the presence of large vacuoles in spermatozoa has been observed for spermiogram parameters, DNA damage, and live birth rate [29]. IMSI does not improve the outcome of ART after two successive IVF-ICSI failures [30].…”

Sperm morphological normality under high magnification is correlated to male infertility and predicts embryo development

“…MSOME grades I+II together had the stronger predictive values for blastocyst rate. Indeed, the presence of up to two small vacuoles may not directly impact the sperm classification, as we previously described (Vingris et al ., ) and as others have also proposed (Fortunato et al ., ), although the direct injection of this class of spermatozoa may impact pregnancy and abortion rates (Berkovitz et al ., ).…”