Relationship between human sperm morphology and acrosomal function.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, we investigated the relationship between functionality of the acrosome and sperm morphology.


METHODS
Acrosome reaction (AR) was separately determined in live and dead sperm and in those with normal, small, and large sized acrosomes by means of the triple stain. Morphology was analyzed according to strict criteria after Papanicolaou stain.


RESULTS
AR and morphology correlated regarding detection of large and small sized acrosomes, but not for normal sized acrosomes. Spontaneous AR was significantly influenced by acrosomal size. Sperm with large (11.4%) and normal (9.2%) acrosomes exhibited a significantly higher percentage of life spontaneously acrosome-reacted sperm than those with small acrosomes (4.5%). Sperm with small acrosomes were associated with a higher percentage of cell death.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that sperm with small acrosomes are more susceptible to cell death and nonphysiological acrosomal loss. Acrosome size reflects the physiological capability of sperm function and therefore male fertility potential.
Menkveld
Roelof
R
Andrology Laboratory E3, Reproductive Biology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tygerberg Hospital and University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa.
El-Garem
Yehia
Y
Schill
Wolf-Bernhard
WB
Henkel
Ralf
R
D000177:Acrosome / Q000502:physiology*; D020101:Acrosome Reaction; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012372:ROC Curve; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*
D004396:Coloring Agents