Use of the guanine-cytosine (GC) specific fluorochrome, chromomycin A3, as an indicator of poor sperm morphology.
OBJECTIVE
We have previously postulated that the chromomycin A3 (CMA3) fluorochrome allows an indirect visualization of sperm chromatin packaging quality and partially denatured sperm DNA. In this study we investigate the relationship between CMA3 positivity and sperm morphology. We also present data on the association between sperm morphology and the presence of endogenous nicks in sperm DNA.


METHODS
Semen samples were examined from 81 males of the couples who were consulting for infertility treatment. CMA3 fluorescence was assessed for all samples, while in 24 sperm samples we also examined for the presence of endogenous nicks in the sperm DNA.


RESULTS
When sperm morphology was less than 20% normal in a patient, the level of CMA3 fluorescence and presence of endogenous nicks were significantly higher than in patients with a higher incidence of morphologically normal sperm.


CONCLUSIONS
CMA3 could be used as an adjunct to the assessment of morphology as an evaluation method for poor sperm. Its value in predicting fertilizing ability when using either SUZI or ICSI awaits to be answered.
Bianchi
P G
PG
Clinic of Infertility and Gynaecological Endocrinology-WHO Collaborating Centre, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland.
Manicardi
G
G
Bizzaro
D
D
Campana
A
A
Bianchi
U
U
Sakkas
D
D
D015415:Biomarkers; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014128:Chromomycin A3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000235:genetics; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility; D008297:Male; D011479:Protamines / Q000378:metabolism; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D002843:Chromatin; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011479:Protamines; D014128:Chromomycin A3