Sperm ultrastructural abnormalities are often associated with sperm motility, the integrity of genetic material, and the fertilization potential. The investigation of sperm ultrastructural abnormalities is based on the evolution of microscopy techniques. In his paper, we review the improvement of the microscopy techniques and the ultrastructure of several specific morphological defects and he apoptotic spermatogenic cells in order to expound the significance of sperm ultrastructural observation in clinical practice. We deem it necessary to analyze the sperm ultrastructure before exploring the pathology and adopting assisted reproductive technology for some special patients with teratozoospermia.
Humans ; Male ; Microscopy ; Spermatozoa ; abnormalities ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo know the effect of different selection techniques on chromosome abnormality rate and the percentage of spermatozoa with relatively intact head ultrastructure in human sperm.

METHODSThe selection techniques of swim-up, Percoll density gradient centrifugation and doule-flection tube were used to observe sperm chromosome abnormality rate, sex chromosomal ratio and the percentage of spermatozoa with relatively intact head ultrastructure.

RESULTSThe sperm chromosome abnormality rate, sex chromosomal ratio and the percentage of spermatozoa with relatively intact head ultrastructure remained unchanged after the application of the three selection techniques(P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe three selection techniques used in this study neither increase the damage to sperm ultrastructure nor exert effects on human chromosome.

Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Humans ; Male ; Spermatozoa ; ultrastructure

Lung fluke, Paragonimus heterotremus, is a flatworm causing pulmonary paragonimiasis in cats, dogs, and humans in Southeast Asia. We examined the ultrastructure of the testis of adult P. heterotremus with special attention to spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The full sequence of spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis, from the capsular basal lamina to the luminal surface, was demonstrated. The sequence comprises spermatogonia, spermatocytes with obvious nuclear synaptonemal complexes, spermatids, and eventual spermatozoa. Moreover, full steps of spermatid differentiation were shown which consisted of 1) early stage, 2) differentiation stage representing the flagella, intercentriolar body, basal body, striated rootlets, and electron dense nucleus of thread-like lamellar configuration, and 3) growing spermatid flagella. Detailed ultrastructure of 2 different types of spermatozoa was also shown in this study.
Animals ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Paragonimus/*physiology/*ultrastructure ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa/ultrastructure ; Testis/ultrastructure

Aneuploidy ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Male ; Spermatozoa ; ultrastructure

Soft X-ray microscopy is a microimaging technique using soft X-ray as illuminative source. It fills the gap between optical and electron microscopy. Soft X-ray microscopes have better resolution than visible microscopes. In comparison with electron microscopes, it can examine thick (up to 10 micrometers for biological samples) and wet specimens in their natural states without being dehydrated, sectioned and stained. In addition, soft X-ray microscopy can map elements and analyze the biological macromolecules such as protein and DNA in the examined samples. In this paper, the advantages of soft X-ray microscopy for biology are briefly described. The applications of soft X-ray microscopy to the analysis of mammal and human sperm are illustrated.
Animals ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy ; methods ; Spermatozoa ; ultrastructure ; X-Rays

OBJECTIVETo investigate damages to the quality of boar sperm frozen in 5 ml straws, pellet and 0.25 ml straws as well as the ultrastructural changes of frozen boar sperm in 5 ml straws.

METHODSWe compared 3 different freezing packages of 5 ml straws, pellet and 0.25 ml straws to determine their effects on frozen boar semen, and observed the morphological and ultrastructural changes of the boar sperm in the 5 ml straws using scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTSIn the 5 ml straws, the vitality and motility of the boar sperm after freezing were not significantly different from those in the other two formulations, the normal apical ridge (NAR) was 52.65%, higher than in the pellet but not significantly different from that in the 0.25 ml straws, and the sperm membranes were mostly bubbly, some locally broken, which indicated the damage induced by freezing and thawing.

CONCLUSIONAt the present time, boar semen frozen in 5 ml straws were not significantly different from those frozen in 0.25 ml straws. The existing freezing-thawing method may cause certain damage to the quality and ultrastructure of boar sperm, and therefore needs to be further improved.

Acrosome ; ultrastructure ; Animals ; Cell Membrane ; ultrastructure ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Semen Preservation ; methods ; Spermatozoa ; ultrastructure ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo compare the criteria of sperm morphology evaluation in the fifth edition of WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen and those in the fourth edition, and to know the changes in the criteria of sperm morphology evaluation in the new edition.

METHODSNine technicians from Zhejiang Human Sperm Bank evaluated the morphology of 1 000 spermatozoa in 96 sperm morphological pictures according to the criteria in the fourth and fifth editions of WHO Laboratory Manual, respectively.

RESULTSThe percentage of morphologically normal sperm by the criteria of the fifth edition was (26.50 +/- 5.06)%, significantly higher than (11.39 +/- 3.17)% by the fourth edition (P < 0.05), while the rates of sperm head and tail defects based on the former were (64.26 +/- 7.66)% and (10.92 +/- 2.03)%, significantly lower than (76.11 +/- 8.18)% and (39.89 +/- 3.85)% according to the latter (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the rates of sperm midpiece defects and excessive residual cytoplasm by the fifth and fourth editions ([16.46 +/- 3.08]% vs [15.22 +/- 3.51 ]% and [4.24 +/- 1.66]% vs [3.87 +/- 1.68]%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe criteria of sperm morphology evaluation in the fifth edition of WHO Laboratory Manual are less strict than those in the fourth, and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm is higher according to the fifth edition.

Humans ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; standards ; Sperm Head ; ultrastructure ; Sperm Midpiece ; ultrastructure ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; ultrastructure ; World Health Organization

OBJECTIVESTo observe ultrastructural changes of spermatozoa after incubate with reactive oxygen species (ROS).

METHODSSpermatozoa of normal physiological functions selected from semen samples by Percoll gradient centrifugation technique were regarded as normal sperm models in present study. Ultrastructural changes of spermatozoa observed by transmission electron microscope after model spermatozoa were incubated with ROS generated by hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase under aerobic environment.

RESULTSAfter model spermatozoa were incubated with ROS, impairment of various extent in membrane and acrosome of spermatozoa and abnormality in mitochondria of spermatozoa were found.

CONCLUSIONSExcessive ROS may cause ultrastructural change in membrane, acrosome and mitochondria of spermatozoa and impair function of spermatozoa.

Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; pharmacology ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; ultrastructure

The sperm DNA integrity is important for the success of natural or assisted fertilization, as well as normal development of the embryo, fetus and child. Some investigations have demonstrated that when the damaged spermatozoa DNA of the husband exceeds than 30%, the couple has very low potential of natural fertility. Several methods are available for the assessment of sperm DNA integrity, which is considered to be a better marker of male fertility potential than conventional semen parameters. Furthermore, monitering sperm DNA integrity may become an important part of the evaluation for couples seeking assisted reproductive techniques such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Finally, the effects of cryopreservation and preparation techniques on sperm DNA integrity are summarized.
Chromatin ; chemistry ; Cryopreservation ; DNA Damage ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; etiology ; genetics ; Male ; Reproductive Techniques ; Spermatozoa ; ultrastructure

The damage to sperm DNA is one of the most important causes of male infertility. Some sperm with damaged DNA may escape from the sperm surveillance mechanism and transmit the damage to the offspring. So research on the damage to sperm DNA has become one of the hot spots in reproductive medicine. The factors that would damage sperm DNA include oxidative stress, microelements, reproductive toxic substances, radioactive rays, and so on, while the body depends on the compressed sperm DNA and anti-oxidation system for the protection of the integrity of sperm DNA. Some drugs such as anti-oxidant, black tea extract, etc, may help to improve and rebuild these protective mechanisms.
Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; DNA Damage ; DNA Repair ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Spermatozoa ; chemistry ; ultrastructure