New fibrous sheath anomaly in spermatozoa of men with consanguinity.
OBJECTIVE
The cause of the sperm motility impairment was investigated in infertile men.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
University-based andrology laboratory.


METHODS
Two unrelated consanguineous patients.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
The sperm flagella lengths were measured using quantitative analysis software and their ultrastructural anomalies were quantitatively recorded.


RESULTS
A total of 67.5% of the flagella were truncated, and 100% lacked the medium region of the ribs of the fibrous sheath.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggested a morphogenetic anomaly at the stage where rib precursors are formed during spermiogenesis. The consanguinity of these patients suggested a genetic origin for this newly discovered anomaly of the human sperm's fibrous sheath. The family tree appears to indicate an autosomal recessive inheritance.
Escalier
Denise
D
Functional and Molecular Histology, Paris 5 University, Andrology Laboratory, Hospital Kremlin-Bicêtre, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France. denise.escalier@univ-paris5.fr
Albert
Martine
M
D000328:Adult; D003241:Consanguinity; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*