X to Y spermatozoal ratio in normal and oligozoospermic human semen and its relationship to fertility parameters

Lack of correlation between human y-positive spermatozoa and acrosomal abnormalities and variations in intensity of fluorescence of sperm stained with quinacrine compounds

Seminal fluid from 170 men was examined for acrosomal abnormalities of sperm (Papanicolaou procedure X 1000) and for y-positive cells (quinacrine-stained smears). No correlation was found between these parameters, suggesting that acrosomal abnormalities are similarly distributed among x- and y-bearing spermatozoa. The proportion of y-positive sperm was found to be low (23.6 + 10.7% (SD) for the oligozoospermic specimens and 23.7 +/- 9.8% for specimens with sperm counts above 40 million/ml). Three degrees of fluorescence intensity were observed--weak, moderate, and strong--the strong fluorescence being associated with the highest percentage of y-bodies (30.6 +/- 12.7%, 36.6 +/- 5.7%) and the weak fluorescence with the lowest (16.7 +/- 7.0%, 15.0 +/- 9.5%). It is suggested that structural abnormalities and/or metabolic alterations in either the DNA molecule or the chromosomal proteins may be responsible for variability in the ability to bind quinacrine compounds.

Andrological evaluation of oligozoospermic men for AIH

A protocol for the assessment of oligozoospermia prior to AIH is presented. Three to six carefully performed semen analyses at optimal intervals are required to confirm oligozoospermia. Routine semen analysis consist of volume, pH, viscosity, sperm count, motility, morphology, agglutination, fructose content, and leukocytes. Because of the high incidence of reproductive tract infection and chromosomal abnormalities in oligozoospermic men, microbiological investigation and full chromosomal analyses should be performed in all cases with sperm counts below 10 million/ml. Chromosomal abnormalities are an indication to reject a couple from AIH. Genital tract infections must be treated prior to insemination. Only sperm counts below 10 million/ml require the estimation of FSH levels. The existence of an oligozoospermia group with pituitary adenoma justifies routine PRL measurements in all cases of oligozoospermia and further investigations such as visual field examination and sella tomogram in case of hyperprolactinemia. Testicular biopsy may indicate an epididymal block that can be surgically repaired. Simultaneous in-depth evaluation of the female partner is emphasized, as oligozoospermia in the man does not rule out the possibility of an additional infertility factor in his partner. It is still controversial whether or not AIH, as compared to intercourse, will improve the conception rate for oligozoospermic men.

Motility, vitality and percentages of morphologically abnormal forms of human spermatozoa in relation to sperm counts

The present work was designed to study the proportions of motile and vital sperms as well as of various types of morphologically defective spermatozoa in both normozoospermic and oligozoospermic human semens, aiming at examining whether with the decrease in sperm counts there is a predilection of certain pathologies of these cells. It was found that, generally, the percentages of non-motile and non-vital spermatozoa and of all abnormal forms examined increase with the degree of oligozoospermia. However, no predilection of particular forms could be observed. It is suggested that morphological abnormalities of spermatozoa could be only a partial expression of pathological processes involved in fertility disorders and that the number of biologically defective spermatozoa may be higher than that assessed by routine laboratory techniques.

High sperm densities and the quality of semen

Thirty semens with sperm densities above 200 million per milliliter from patients with fertility disorders were examined for volume, motility, vitality, and morphology of spermatozoa, and for fructose content as well as for percentile decreases with time of activity and viability. In addition, blood levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and prolactin were estimated. Percentages of motility, vitality, and morphological normality, motility grades, and percentile decreases in both activity and viability were found to be comparable with those of oligospermic specimens. On the average, volume of semens were lower by about 30% than in normo- and oligospermia. 42% of the investigated semens had low fructose values (below 1 mg/ml). In about 60% of patients the prolactin levels were low (2-5 ng/ml). Follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone were either within normal range or slightly decreased. Despite the above abnormalities, the overall numbers of "normal" spermatozoa per ejaculate were not inferior to those usually present in normospermic specimens, suggesting that factors of presently unknown nature, involved in regulation of both proliferation and spermatogenesis, might be responsible for fertility disorders in these conditions.