Seventeen sperm samples were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) before and after swim-up separation. DNA-fragmentation was tested by terminal d-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) in unselected and selected semen samples, and the results were analyzed in relation to sperm ultrastructural characteristics detected by TEM. A significant improvement in mean numbers and percentages of structurally normal sperm was observed after swim-up selection, corresponding to a significant decrease in the percentage of necrotic and apoptotic sperm, while the percentage of sperm with immature nuclei did not change significantly. TUNEL indicated a significant decrease in chromatin-fragmented sperm after swim-up. Swim up selection based on sperm motility excludes many sperm with ultrastructural evidence of necrosis (absent or reacted acrosome, disrupted chromatin, broken plasma membrane) and apoptosis (misshapen nuclei with marginated chromatin), as confirmed by TUNEL analysis. Nevertheless, immature sperm with elliptical or roundish nuclei, misshapen acrosomes and uncondensed chromatin remain part of fertilizing pool.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Further observations on the morphogenesis of the round headed human spermatozoa.

Sperm and testicular biopsies of an infertile human patient have been investigated using histochemical and electron microscopical technique. Spermiogram revealed a head defect, characterized with lacking acrosome and round and immature nucleoplasm, occuring in practically all cells and coiled tails in about a half of spermatozoa. EM study of spermatids has shown an abortive development of acrosome, whose primordium failed to attach the nucleus and expand, instead regressed. The nucleus failed in shaping and retarded in maturing, a disturbance apparently associated with the aplasia of hypoplasia of caudal manchette. The role of zinc in nuclear differentiation and the shape of head in the movement pattern are discussed.

Acrosome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Spermatozoa and cilia lacking axoneme in an infertile man.

A case of absence of axoneme both in spermatozoa and in the respiratory tract of the same individual is described. Spermatozoa are normal in shape and in head structure, but have tails containing only mitochondria, accessory fibers and fibrous sheath. Cilia in respiratory cells are present and normally long, but empty, flattened, devoid of microtubules and centrioles, resembling mucous cells microvilli, which are quite shorter. The role of the axoneme in the accessory fibers and cilia morphogenesis is discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Notulae seminologicae. 1. New combinations of Kartagener's syndrome.

In this note new consequences of the Kartagener's syndrome are described. In males the syndrome involved a diffused sperm immaturity; in one female severe skeletal defects were present probably resulting from bad organization of the renal apparatus.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Notulae seminologicae. 3. Mathematical diagnosis from TEM seminological detection.

In this paper a formula obtained by probability analysis is presented. This formula can predict the number of healthy spermatozoa in a sperm population containing more or less numerous different defects recognized in ultrathin sections by transmission electron microscopy or in entire cells stained with different specific antibodies, by fluorescence light microscopy. This formula is able also to orientate the diagnosis of the various sperm pathological affections and, can be used generally in the evaluation of any kind of populations of isolated cells examined in ultrathin sections or in immunocytochemical preparations.

Humans↗