The spermatozoon is the most diverse cell type known and this diversity is considered to reflect differences in sperm function. How the diversity in sperm morphology arose during speciation and what role the different specializations play in sperm function, however, remain incompletely characterized. This work reviews the hypotheses proposed to explain sperm morphological evolution, with a focus on some aspects of sperm morphometric evaluation; the ability of morphometrics to predict sperm cryoresistance and male fertility is also discussed. For this, the evaluation of patterns of change of sperm head morphometry throughout a process, instead of the study of the morphometric characteristics of the sperm head at different stages, allows a better identification of the males with different sperm cryoconservation ability. These new approaches, together with more studies employing a greater number of individuals, are needed to obtain novel results concerning the role of sperm morphometry on sperm function. Future studies should aim at understanding the causes of sperm design diversity and the mechanisms that generate them, giving increased attention to other sperm structures besides the sperm head. The implementation of scientific and technological advances could benefit the simultaneous examination of sperm phenotype and sperm function, demonstrating that sperm morphometry could be a useful tool for sperm assessment.
- MeSH
- Semen Analysis methods MeSH
- Sperm Head physiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Sperm Motility physiology MeSH
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted MeSH
- Spermatozoa cytology MeSH
- Cell Shape physiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
Východisko. Je známo, že různé expozice mužů chemickými látkami mohou významně zhoršit kvalitu i kvantitu produkovaných spermií. Cílem naší studie bylo ověřit, zda znečištěné ovzduší v okrese Teplice má negativní vliv na kvalitu spermií u mužů žijících v tomto okrese. Metody a výsledky. Bylo vyšetřeno 325 18letých mužů žijících v okrese Teplice a v kontrolní oblasti Prachatice. Odběry vzorků proběhly v roce 1992 a 1994 vždy na konci zimy a na podzim. Podle SZO laboratorního manuálu pro vyšetření lidského semene byly stanoveny základní spermatologické parametry: objem semene, pH, pohyb, počet a morfologie spermií. U vybraných skupin mužů byla také vyšetřena frekvence aneuploidií ve spermiích. Vyšetření aneuploidií bylo provedeno pomocí tříbarevné fluorescenční in situ hybridizace s využitím satelitních DNA sond specifických pro chromozómy X, Y a 8. Pro analýzu dat byla použita logistická regrese. Byly stanoveny odd’s ratio (OR’s). Vzrůst OR’s byl zjištěn pro morfologii spermií (4,1 a 10,1 pro expozici střední, resp. vysokou), pro morfologii hlavičky (6,1 a 4,1) a u procenta motilních spermií (9,8 a 3,5). Více exponovaní muži měli zvýšenou frekvenci disomií chromozómů X (p=0,012), XY (p=0,01) a Y (p<0,001). Závěry. Použité bioindikátory toxického a genetického poškození spermií ukazují na zhoršenou kvalitu spermií u teplických mužů.
Backgrounds. It has been described that an exposition of males to chemical substances may significantly impoverish quality and quantity of produced spermatozoa. The aim of our study was to test whether the polluted air in the Teplice district has negative effects on the quality of sperm of males living in this district. Methods and Results. 325 males 18-year-old living in the Teplice district and in the control district of Prachatice were tested. Samples were taken in 1992 and 1994, always at the end of winter and in autumn. According to WHO laboratory manual for investigation of the human sperm, basic parameters were determined: volume of the semen, pH, motility, number and morphology of spermatozoa. In selected groups of males the frequency of aneuploidia of spermatozoa was also examined. Examination of aneuploidia was done using three color fluorescence in situ hybridisation with satellite DNA proves specific for X, Z and 8 chromosomes. Logistic regression was used for the data analysis and Odd’s Ratio was estimated (OR’s). OR’s was found for the morphology of spermatozoa (4.1 and 10.1 for medium and high exposition respectively), for the head morphology (6.1 and 4.1) and in the percentage of motile spermatozoa (9.8 and 3.5). More intensively exposed males had higher frequency of disomy in chromosomes X (p=0.012), XY (p=0.01), and Y (p<0.001). Conclusions. Bio-indicators of toxic and genetic impairment have shown lower quality of sperm in males in Teplice district.
- MeSH
- Aneuploidy MeSH
- Biomarkers MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Research Support as Topic MeSH
- In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence methods MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Sulfur Dioxide MeSH
- Seasons MeSH
- Spermatozoa anatomy & histology pathology MeSH
- Air Pollution MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
Motility analysis of spermatozoa relies on the investigation of either head trajectories or flagellum characteristics. Those two sets of parameters are far from being independent, the flagellum playing the role of motor, whereas the head plays a passive role of cargo. Therefore, quantitative descriptions of head trajectories represent a simplification of the complex pattern of whole sperm cell motion, resulting from the waves developed by the flagellum. The flagellum itself responds to a large variety of signals that precisely control its axoneme to allow activation, acceleration, slowing down or reorientation of the whole spermatozoon. Thus, it is obvious that analysis of flagellum characteristics provides information on the original source of movement and orientation of the sperm cell and presents additional parameters that enrich the panoply of quantitative descriptors of sperm motility. In this review, we briefly describe the methodologies used to obtain good-quality images of fish spermatozoa (head and especially flagellum) while they move fast and the methods developed for their analysis. The paper also aims to establish a link between classical analyses by computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) and the descriptors generated by fish sperm flagellum analysis, and emphasises the information to be gained regarding motility performance from flagellum motion data.
- MeSH
- Semen Analysis MeSH
- Axoneme physiology MeSH
- Sperm Tail physiology MeSH
- Sperm Motility physiology MeSH
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted MeSH
- Fishes physiology MeSH
- Software MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
This study quantified and evaluated the variability of sperm head shape for 10 different stallions. Sperm head shape characteristics including sperm head length to width ratio, position of the center of gravity, curvature, and degree of roundness were assessed and analysed from images using elliptic Fourier descriptors and inverse Fourier transformation. The first four principal components accounted for 88.46-92.33% of the total variance and provided a good summary of the overall data. In the case of the ejaculate with defective sperm heads the components accounted for 97.35-98.21% of variation. The study was able to quantitatively confirm that head length to width ratio, which contributed 48.63-53.48% and 71.30-73.34% to the total variance for normal and defective sperm, respectively, was the predominant determining parameter of sperm head shape. There were no statistical significant relationships between Fourier descriptors and values of sperm concentration and/or motility.
- MeSH
- Fourier Analysis MeSH
- Sperm Head physiology ultrastructure MeSH
- Horses MeSH
- Sperm Motility physiology MeSH
- Sperm Count statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted MeSH
- Spermatozoa cytology physiology MeSH
- Cell Shape physiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
In this study, we examined different computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems (CRISMAS, Hobson Sperm Tracker, and Image J CASA) on the exact same video recordings to evaluate the differences in sperm motility parameters related to the specific CASA used. To cover a wide range of sperm motility parameters, we chose 12-second video recordings at 25 and 50 Hz frame rates after sperm motility activation using three taxonomically distinct fish species (sterlet: Acipenser ruthenus L.; common carp: Cyprinus carpio L.; and rainbow trout: Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) that are characterized by essential differences in sperm behavior during motility. Systematically higher values of velocity and beat cross frequency (BCF) were observed in video recordings obtained at 50 Hz frame frequency compared with 25 Hz for all three systems. Motility parameters were affected by the CASA and species used for analyses. Image J and CRISMAS calculated higher curvilinear velocity (VCL) values for rainbow trout and common carp at 25 Hz frequency compared with the Hobson Sperm Tracker, whereas at 50 Hz, a significant difference was observed only for rainbow trout sperm recordings. No significant difference was observed between the CASA systems for sterlet sperm motility at 25 and 50 Hz. Additional analysis of 1-second segments taken at three time points (1, 6, and 12 seconds of the recording) revealed a dramatic decrease in common carp and rainbow trout sperm speed. The motility parameters of sterlet spermatozoa did not change significantly during the 12-second motility period and should be considered as a suitable model for longer motility analyses. Our results indicated that the CASA used can affect motility results even when the same motility recordings are used. These results could be critically altered by the recording quality, time of analysis, and frame rate of camera, and could result in erroneous conclusions.
- MeSH
- Semen Analysis methods veterinary MeSH
- Sperm Motility * MeSH
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted instrumentation MeSH
- Fishes * MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Evaluation Study MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) plays a unique role in the treatment of male infertility. ICSI results are not influenced by either sperm number, motility or sperm morphology. In our group we studied 90 cycles in which conventional WF and ICSI were performed on sibling oocytes in couples with borderline semen analysis (more than 50 000 sperm/oocyte). A higher number of A quality embryos was found in the ICSI oocyte group (40%/32%). In 38 % of IVF cycles no embryos were found, whereas with ICSI the absence decreased to only 12 %. In only 4 % of the cycles, the WF method was more succesful than that of ICSI treatment. In only 7 % of our combined group there were no embryos for transfer. The positive influence of ICSI on our centre results - 32 % pregnancy rate/ET and an 18 % baby take home rate - are discussed. In our retrospective study, ICSI is more successful than IVF alone and a combination of IVF and ICSI achieves the best results in the borderline sperm analysis group. An increased use of the ICSI technique in assisted reproduction can be expected in future.
Hlavní stanovisko: Vyšetření spermiogramem neposkytuje dostatek informací o kvalitě spermií. Pomocí průtokové cytometrie je možné stanovit zastoupení apoptotických spermií v ejakulátu, fragmentaci jejich DNA a integritu akrozomu. Tyto testy umožňují diagnostikovat pacienty s rizikem nižší fertility, kteří by měli být vyšetřeni andrologem. Cíl: Přehled výsledků vyšetření kvality spermií pomocí průtokové cytometrie Soubor pacientů a metody: Vyšetření ejakulátu bylo provedeno u 800 mužů (ve věku 21-66 let) léčených v Centrech asistované reprodukce GENNET. Soubor zahrnoval 366 normozoospermiků a 434 pacientů s patologickým spermiogramem. Pomocí průtokové cytometrie byl u všech pacientů stanoven počet živých a apoptotických spermií, u 213 pacientů byl stanoven počet spermií s nízkou integritou akrozomu a u 65 pacientů byl stanoven počet spermií s fragmentací DNA metodou TUNEL. Pacienti byli rozděleni do skupiny ApoHigh s vysokým zastoupením apoptotických spermií (>50 % apoptotických spermií) a ApoLow s nízkým zastoupením apoptotických spermií (<50 % apoptotických spermií). Výsledky: U normozoospermiků bylo zjištěno 16,9 % ApoHigh vzorků, u pacientů s patologickým spermiogramem 53,9 % ApoHigh vzorků. Čím více je apoptotických spermií v ejakulátu, tím vyšší je výskyt fragmentace DNA a nízké integrity akrozomu. Průměrná hodnota fragmentace DNA byla vyšší u vzorků ApoHigh než u ApoLow jak u normozoospermiků (24,0 % vs. 13,5 %), tak u pacientů s patologickým spermiogramem (33,3 % vs. 18,0 %). Vyšší průměrný počet spermií s nízkou integritou akrozomu byl zjištěn u ApoHigh vzorků než u ApoLow jak u normozoospermiků (40,2 % vs. 23,9 %), tak u pacientů s patologickým spermiogramem (53,1 % vs. 35,2 %). Závěr: Vyšší zastoupení apoptotických spermií v ejakulátu snižuje jeho kvalitu. Test apoptózy spermií, fragmentace DNA a stanovení integrity akrozomu doplňují informace získané ze spermiogramu a umožňují vytipovat rizikové subfertilní pacienty, pro které je vhodné podrobné andrologické vyšetření.
Semen analysis does not provide enough information about sperm quality. Flow cytometry tests allow us to analyse percentage of apoptotic sperm, DNA fragmentation and acrosome integrity. Sub‑fertile patients are better diagnosed using these tests. Objective: Overview of sperm quality data measured by flow cytometry. Material and method: 800 sub‑fertile men (aged 21–66 years) were treated at GENNET – assisted reproduction centres. 366 patients had normal results and 434 patients had pathological parameters of semen analysis. Flow cytometry analyses of apoptotic sperm were done in all patients. DNA fragmentation rate was measured by TUNEL assay in 65 samples. The acrosome integrity was measured in 213 samples. Two groups of patients were set according to the number of apoptotic sperm in the semen samples – ApoHigh group included samples with > 50 % of apoptotic sperm and ApoLow group included samples with < 50 % of apoptotic sperm. Results: 16.9 % of normal semen samples were ApoHigh as well as 53.9 % pathological semen. Higher average values of DNA fragmentation were detected in the ApoHigh group than in the ApoLow group both in normal semen (24.0 % vs. 13.5 %) and in pathologic semen too (33.3 % vs. 18.0 %). Higher average values of the acrosome integrity were detected in the ApoHigh group than in the ApoLow group both in normal semen (40.2 % vs. 23.9 %) and in the pathologic samples as well (53.1 % vs. 35.2 %). Conclusion: The presence of apoptotic sperm decreases the semen quality. The examination of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation and acrosome integrity together with microscopic semen analyses provide a better diagnostic tool how to identify sub‑fertile men, than simple semen analysis. These tests might be helpful for selection of patients for further uro‑andrological examination and treatment.
- MeSH
- Fertility * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Infertility, Male genetics prevention & control MeSH
- Flow Cytometry statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Spermatozoa abnormalities cytology pathology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- Observational Study MeSH
Cíl studie: Využití monoklonálních protilátek proti specifickým proteinům lidských spermií v hu-mánní medicíně.Typ studie: Experimentální a klinická studie.Název a sídlo pracoviště: 1 Oddělení biologie a biochemie fertilizace, Ústav molekulární genetikyAV ČR, Praha, 2 Laboratoř IVF, Iscare IVF, a.s., Praha, 3 Imunologické oddělení, Ústav pro péčio matku a dítě, Praha.Metodika: Připravené monoklonální protilátky proti specifickým proteinům lidských spermií bylypoužity ke kvantitativnímu testování lidského spermatu s normálním a patologickým spermiogra-mem pomocí imunofluorescenčního testu.Výsledky: Ve vzorcích s patologickým spermiogramem bylo nalezeno výrazné snížení detekce in-tra-akrosomálních proteinů, značení povrchových proteinů bylo v případě jednoho proteinu ne-změněné, v případě druhého došlo k jeho navýšení.Závěr: Monoklonální protilátky mohou být užity pro diagnostiku patologie spermií (kvantitativnídetekce proteinů) a pro hodnocení fyziologického stavu spermií (stav akrosomu před a po akroso-mální reakci). Konečně - monoklonální protilátky mohou pomoci v rozhodování o výběru vhodnémetody fertilizace (IUI, standardní IVF, ICSI) již v prvním cyklu asistované reprodukce.
Objective: Use of monoclonal antibodies against sperm proteins in human medicine.Design: Experimental and clinical studies.Setting: 1 Dep. Biology and Biochemistry of Fertilization, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Prague,2 Laboratory IVF, Iscare IVF, Prague, 3 Dep. of Immunobiology, Institute for the Care of Motherand Child, Prague.Methods: Monoclonal antibodies against human sperm intra-acrosomal and cell surface proteinswere used for quantitative analysis of these proteins by the immunofluorescence test in samplesof human sperm of good and poor qualities.Results: The detection of intra-acrosomal proteins was decreased and, on the other hand, detecti-on of surface proteins was the same or higher in pathological spermatozoa.Conclusion: Monoclonal antibodies can be used for diagnostics of sperm pathology (quantitativedetection of proteins) and for evaluation of the physiological state of sperm cells (state of acroso-me before or after acrosome reaction). Finally, monoclonal antibodies could be useful for selecti-on of a suitable method of fertilization (IUI, standard IVF, ICSI) in the laboratories of assistedreproduction.
- MeSH
- Fertilization in Vitro MeSH
- Fertilization methods MeSH
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique methods MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Antibodies, Monoclonal diagnostic use MeSH
- Proteins MeSH
- Spermatozoa pathology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
Cíl studie: Metoda aktivace spermií je moderní metodický přístup, který se v praxi používá stále více. Neustále přibývá nových studií zaměřených na metody umělé aktivace motility lidských spermií. Standardní metody výběru spermií mohou v některých případech selhat mimo jiné i proto, že jsou izolovány spermie velice mladé, které ještě nedokončily svůj vývoj. V těchto případech může mít umělá stimulace jejich pohybu pozitivní efekt a velice usnadnit a urychlit proces výběru vhodných spermií. Jako aktivační činidla se nejčastěji využívají methylxanthiny. Názory na bezpečnost použití těchto látek na spermie však nejsou jednotné. Cílem práce je prezentovat současné poznatky o umělé aktivaci motility spermií na in vitro fertilizaci a následný embryonální vývoj. Metodika: Rešerše relevantní literatury v databázích Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/Medline. Výsledky a závěr: Z literární analýzy vyplývá, že je tato metoda bezpečná a účinná při výběru nepohyblivých spermií. Byly provedeny vědecké studie zaměřené na ověření bezpečnosti a spolehlivosti této metody. Závěrem těchto studií je pozitivní dopad tohoto způsobu výběru především u případů spermií získávaných z varletní tkáně po metodě TESE (testicular sperm extraction). V těchto případech metoda umělé aktivace spermií usnadnila a zrychlila výběr spermií před intracytoplazmatickou injekcí spermie. Aktivovány byly spermie nepoškozené, které jsou nepohyblivé z důvodu nedokončení své maturace.
Aim: The sperm activation method is a modern methodological approach that is used more and more often in practice. The number of studies focused on methods of artificial activation of human sperm motility are constantly increasing. Standard sperm selection methods can fail in some cases, among other things, because very young sperm are isolated that have not yet completed their development. In these cases, artificial stimulation of their movement can have a positive effect and greatly facilitate and faster the process of selecting suitable sperm. Methylxanthines are most often used as activating agents. However, opinions on the safety of using these substances on sperm are not uniform. The aim of the thesis is to present current knowledge about artificial activation of sperm motility for in vitro fertilization and subsequent embryonic development. Methodology: Research of relevant literature in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/Medline databases. Results and conclusion: The literature analysis shows that this method is safe and effective in the selection of immotile spermatozoa. Scientific studies have been conducted to verify the safety and reliability of this method. The conclusion of these studies is the positive impact of this method of selection, especially in cases of sperm obtained from testicular tissue after method testicular sperm extraction. In these cases, the method of artificial sperm activation facilitated and accelerated the selection of sperm before intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Undamaged spermatozoa, which are immobile due to incomplete maturation, were activated.
- MeSH
- Fertilization in Vitro * methods MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Sperm Motility * MeSH
- Spermatozoa physiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
Domácí vyšetření spermiogramu pomocí chytrého mobilního telefonu? Vítejte v éře telespermatologie. Autor seznamuje české čtenáře s možností vyšetření spermiogramu pomocí chytrého mobilního telefonu.
The author presents the possibility of sperm analysis using a smartphone to the Czech readers.
