Association of the in-vitro fertilizing capacity of human spermatozoa with sperm morphology as assessed by three classification systems.
Stained sperm morphology slides from an in-vitro fertilization programme were evaluated by the modified Williams system, the World Health Organization (WHO) system and morphometric size measurements (image analysis) to determine which system(s) were better predictors of fertility. Amorphous sperm head shape was the best predictor of fertility in both the modified Williams system and the WHO system, predicting the proper fertility status in 65% of the cases. Using only normal sperm in the statistical model, normal sperm became a correct predictor in 66% of the cases in the modified Williams system. Morphometric measurements were not useful in predicting the fertility status of these samples. These studies indicate that morphology can not be used as a sole predictor of fertilizing capacity of human spermatozoa.
D005298:Fertility; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013077:Sperm Head; D013082:Sperm Tail; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*