Inverse correlation between chromatin condensation and sperm head size in a case of enlarged sperm heads.
Among sperm morphology abnormalities, macrocephalic and large-headed spermatozoa are commonly associated with a low chance of pregnancy, mainly in relation to meiotic abnormalities during spermatogenesis. Here is reported the case of a patient with 98% of spermatozoa showing abnormal morphology, many having enlarged heads (47%). Sperm-head measurement, sperm fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis, sperm chromatin decondensation and molecular biology were performed. Fifty-six percent of the sperm displayed a large head (length >4.7 μm and width >3.2 μm), and the mean sperm-head area was 15.8±3.8 μm(2) (9.7±1.5 μm(2) and 9.3±1.4 μm(2) for two controls). Normal chromosomal content was found in 97% of the cells and no aurea kinase C-gene mutation was found. Mean sperm chromatin decondensation rate was 46%, 64% for large-head forms and 10% for other forms. This is, as far as is known, one of the first cases of semen with enlarged-head spermatozoa linked to sperm chromatin condensation dysfunction with no major meiotic dysfunction. The study centre advised the couple to undergo intracytoplasmic sperm injection with the patient's spermatozoa.
Departement de Biologie de la Reproduction, Centre Hospitalier, Dreux, France. brunoguthauser@gmail.com
B
B
Guthauser
M
M
Albert
F
F
Ferfouri
P F
PF
Ray
G
G
Rabiey
J
J
Selva
F
F
Vialard
D002843:Chromatin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013077:Sperm Head / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D002843:Chromatin