title: Human sperm NADH and NADPH diaphorase cytochemistry: correlation with sperm motility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have examined the correlation between the retention of residual sperm cytoplasm and sperm motility in semen from men presenting for infertility evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen samples (n = 12) were obtained from nonazoospermic men presenting for infertility evaluation at our institution. Samples were fractionated into high-, intermediate-, and low-density subpopulations by Percoll gradients in order to examine the correlation between the retention of residual sperm cytoplasm and sperm motility. Residual sperm cytoplasm retention was detected by cytochemical staining of sperm for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)- or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent diaphorase activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The different sperm subpopulations (low, intermediate, and high density) had significantly different percentages of sperm with droplet retention (analysis of variance, P < 0.05). Using either NADH or NADPH diaphorase staining as a marker of the cytoplasmic space, a significant negative correlation was observed between the percentage of sperm with residual cytoplasmic droplets and the percentage of motile sperm (r = -0.58 and -0.61, respectively, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Assessment of residual sperm cytoplasm retention is a simple diagnostic test. Although this test is of unproven value in the management of infertile men, this and other studies suggest that it may provide useful data on sperm function.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zini
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: O'Bryan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Israel
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Schlegel
mesh_terms: D008058:Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D012661:Semen / Q000201:enzymology*; D013081:Sperm Motility
chemical_list: D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase; D008058:Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase