Abstract
Purpose
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of morphokinetic abnormalities of human spermatozoa on chromatin packing and DNA integrity and possible beneficial effects of sperm selection in ICSI.
Methods
Semen samples from 1002 patients were analysed for morphology and motility using CASA. Protamine status and DNA fragmentation were analysed by chromomycin A3 staining and sperm chromatin dispersion assay respectively.
Results
Sperms with elongated, thin, round, pyri, amorphous, micro and macro forms were significantly higher in teratozoospermic and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic groups. Significant difference in chromatin packing and DNA fragmentation index was observed in these abnormal groups compared with normal. Similarly significant correlation was also seen between abnormal motility parameters and DNA fragmentation index in asthenozoospermic group compared with normal.
Conclusions
Specific abnormal morphological forms have higher incidence of chromatin packing abnormalities and DNA fragmentation. Using these sperms in ICSI might have an impact on fertilization, embryo development and abortion rates. These can be selectively avoided during ICSI procedure to improve ART outcome.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
World Health Organization. WHO laboratory manual for the examination of human semen and semen-cervical mucus interaction. 2nd (eds), Cambridge, Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 1987.
Kruger TF, Menkveld R, Stander FS, Lombard CJ, Vander Merwe JP, Vanzyl JA, Smith K. Sperm morphologic features as a prognostic factor in in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril. 1986;46:1118–23.
Grow DR, Oehninger S, Seltman HJ, Toner JP, Swanson RJ, Kruger TF, Muasher SJ. Sperm morphology as diagnosed by strict criteria: probing the impact of teratozoospermia on fertilization rate and pregnancy outcome in a large in vitro fertilization population. Fertil Steril. 1994;62:559–67.
Morgentaler A, Fung MY, Harris DH, Powers RD, Alper MM. Sperm morphology and in vitro fertilization outcome: a direct comparison of World Health Organization and strict criteria methodologies. Fertil Steril. 1995;64:1177–82.
Jorgensen N, Auger J, Giwercman A, Irvine DS, Jensen TK, Jouannet P, Keiding N, Le Bon C, MacDonald E, Pekuri AM, Scheike T, Simonsen M, Suominen J, Skakkeboek NE. Semen analysis performed by different laboratory teams: an intervariation study. Int J Androl. 1997;20:201–08.
Moruzzi JF, Wyrobek AJ, Mayall BH, Gledhill BL. Quantification and classification of human sperm morphology by computer-assisted image analysis. Fertil Steril. 1988;50:142–52.
Perez-Sanchez F, De Monserrat JJ, Soler C. Morphometric analysis of human sperm morphology. Int J Androl. 1994;17:248–55.
Benchaib M, Lornage J, Mazoyer C, Lejeune H, Salle B, François Guerin J. Sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation as a prognostic indicator of assisted reproductive technology outcome. Fertil Steril. 2007;87:93–100.
Zhang Y, Wang H, Wang L, Zhou Z, Sha J, Mao Y, Cai L, Feng T, Yan Z, Ma L, Liu J. The clinical significance of sperm DNA damage detection combined with routine semen testing in assisted reproduction. Mol Med Report. 2008;1:617–24.
Sailer BL, Jost LK, Evenson P. Bull sperm head morphometry related to abnormal chromatin structure and fertility. Cytometry. 1996;24:167–73.
Nunez-Martinez I, Moran JM, Pena FJ. Do computer-assisted, morphometric-derived sperm characteristics reflect DNA status in canine spermatozoa? Reprod Domest Anim. 2005;40:537–43.
Nunez-Martinez I, Moran JM, Pena FJ. Identification of sperm morphometric subpopulation in the canine ejaculate: do they reflect different subpopulations in sperm chromatin integrity? Zygote. 2007;15:257–66.
Lange-Consiglio A, Antonucci N, Manes S, Corradetti B, Cremonesi F, Bizzaro D. Morphometric characteristics and chromatin integrity of spermatozoa in three Italian dog breeds. J Small Anim Pract. 2010;51:624–27.
Kruger TF, DuToit TC, Franken DR, Acosta AA, Oehninger SC, Menkveld R, Lombard CJ. A new computerized method of reading sperm morphology (strict criteria) is as efficient as technician reading. Fertil Steril. 1993;59:202–09.
Kruger TF, Ackerman SB, Simmons KF, Swanson RJ, Brugo SS, Acosta AA. A quick, reliable staining technique for human sperm morphology. Arch Androl. 1987;18:275–77.
Rama Raju GA, Jaya Prakash G, Murali Krishna K, Madan K, Siva Narayana T, Ravi Krishna CH. Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: effects on sperm morphological and functional characteristics, nuclear DNA integrity and outcome of assisted reproductive technique. Andrologia. 2012;44:490–98.
Bianchi PG, Manicardi GC, Bizzaro D, Bianchi U, Sakkas D. Effect of deoxyribonucleic acid protamination on fluorochrome staining and in situ nick-translation of murine and human mature spermatozoa. Biol Reprod. 1993;49:1083–88.
Henkel RR, Franken DR, Lombard CJ, Schill WB. Selective capacity of glass-wool filtration for the separation of human spermatozoa with condensed chromatin: a possible therapeutic modality for male-factor cases? J Assist Reprod Genet. 1994;11:395–400.
Soler C, Perez-Sanchez F, Schulze H, Bergmann M, Oberpenning F, Yeung C, Cooper TG. Objective evaluation of the morphology of human epididymal sperm heads. Int J Androl. 2000;23:77–84.
Wistuba J, Stukenberg JB, Luetjens CM. Mammalian spermatogenesis. Functional development and embryology. Functional and development embryology. 2007;1:99–117.
Katz DF, Diel L, Overstreet JW. Differences in the movement of morphologically normal and abnormal human seminal spermatozoa. Biol Reprod. 1982;26:566–70.
Nasr-Esfahani MH, Razavi S, Tavalaee M. Failed fertilization after ICSI and spermiogenic defects. Fertil Steril. 2008;89:892–98.
Kruger TF, Coetzee K. The role of sperm morphology in assisted reproduction. Hum Reprod Update. 1999;5:172–78.
Bartoov B, Berkovitz A, Eltes F, Kogosowski A, Menezo Y, Barak Y. Real-time fine morphology of motile human sperm cells is associated with IVF-ICSI outcome. J Androl. 2002;23:1–8.
Berkovitz A, Eltes F, Yaari S, Katz N, Barr I, Fishman A, Bartoov B. The morphological normalcy of the sperm nucleus and pregnancy rate of intracytoplasmic injection with morphologically selected sperm. Hum Reprod. 2005;20:185–90.
Kruger TF, Acosta AA, Simmons KF, Swanson RJ, Matta JF, Oehninger S. Predictive value of abnormal sperm morphology in in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril. 1988;49:112–17.
Yang YS, Chen SU, Ho HN, Chen HF, Chao KH, Lin HR, Huang SC, Lee TY. Correlation between sperm morphology using strict criteria in original semen and swim-up inseminate and human in vitro fertilization. Arch Androl. 1995;34:105–13.
Svalander P, Jakobsson AH, Forsberg AS, Bengtsson AC, Wikland M. The outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection is unrelated to 'strict criteria' sperm morphology. Hum Reprod. 1996;11:1019–22.
Keegan BR, Barton S, Sanchez X, Berkeley AS, Krey LC, Grifo J. Isolated teratozoospermia does not affect in vitro fertilization outcome and is not an indication for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Fertil Steril. 2007;88:1583–88.
Sun JG, Jurisicova A, Casper RF. Detection of deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation in human sperm: correlation with fertilization in vitro. Biol Reprod. 1997;56:602–07.
Lopes S, Sun JG, Jurisicova A, Meriano J, Casper RF. Sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation is increased in poor-quality semen samples and correlates with failed fertilization in intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Fertil Steril. 1998;69:528–32.
Sheikh N, Amiri I, Farimani M, Najafi R, Hadeie J. Correlation between sperm parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation in fertile and infertile men. Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine. 2008;6:13–8.
Said TM, Agarwal A, Sharma RK, Thomas AJ, Sikka SC. Impact of sperm morphology on DNA damage caused by oxidative stress induced by beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. Fertil Steril. 2005;83:95–103.
Varghese AC, Bragais FM, Mukhopadhyay D, Kundu S, Pal M, Bhattacharyya AK, Agarwal. Human sperm DNA integrity in normal and abnormal semen samples and its correlation with sperm characteristics. Andrologia. 2009;41:207–15.
Dadoune JP, Mayaux MJ, Guihard-Moscato ML. Correlation between defects in chromatin condensation of human spermatozoa stained by aniline blue and semen characteristics. Andrologia. 1988;20:211–17.
Auger J, Mesbah M, Huber C, Dadoune JP. Aniline blue staining as a marker of sperm chromatin defects associated with different semen characteristics discriminates between proven fertile and suspected infertile men. Int J Androl. 1990;13:452–62.
Benzacken B, Gavelle FM, Martin-Pont B, Dupuy O, Lievre N, Hugues JN, Wolf JP. Familial sperm polyploidy induced by genetic spermgenesis failure: case report. Hum Reprod. 2001;16:2646–51.
Osawa Y, Sueoka K, Iwata S, Shinohara M, Kobayashi N, Kuji N, Yoshimura Y. Assessment of the dominant abnormal form is useful for predicting the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in the case of severe teratozoospermia. J Assist Reprod Genet. 1999;16:436–42.
Abdelrazik H, Mahfouz R, Farouk A, Sharma R, Agarwal A. Computer assisted sperm head morphology assessment and its correlation with sperm DNA damage. 2007; ASA O7-04: 32 annual meeting, Tampa, FL.
Tang SS, Gao H, Zhao Y, Ma S. Aneuploidy and DNA fragmentation in morphologically abnormal sperm. Int J Androl. 2010;33:163–79.
Daris B, Goropevsek A, Hojnik N, Vlaisavljevic V. Sperm morphological abnormalities as indicators of DNA fragmentation and fertilization in ICSI. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2010;28:363–67.
Gandini L, Lombardo F, Paoli D, Caponecchia L, Familiari G, Verlengia C, Dondero F, Lenzi A. Study of apoptotic DNA fragmentation in human spermatozoa. Hum Reprod. 2000;15:830–39.
Overstreet JW, Price MJ, Blazak WF, Lewis EL, Katz DF. Simultaneous assessment of human sperm motility and morphology by videomicrography. J Urol. 1981;126:357–60.
Morales P, Katz DF, Overstreet JW, Samuels SJ, Chang RJ. The relationship between the motility and morphology of spermatozoa in human semen. J Androl. 1988;9:241–47.
Parinaud J, Vieitez G, Moutaffian H, Richoilley G, Milhet P. Relationships between motility parameters, morphology and acrosomal status of human spermatozoa. Hum Reprod. 1996;11:1240–43.
Aydos K, Unlu C, Demirel C. Relation of the Morphological alterations of spermatozoa with motility. J Turkish German Gynecol Assoc. 2000;1:5–8.
Goldberg RB, Geremia R, Bruce WR. Histone synthesis and replacement during spermatogenesis in the mouse. Differentiation. 1977;7:167–80.
Poccia D. Remodeling of nucleoproteins during gametogenesis, fertilization, and early development. Int Rev Cytol. 1986;105:1–65.
De Vos A, Van De Velde H, Joris H, Verheyen G, Devroey P, Van Steirteghem A. Influence of individual sperm morphology on fertilization, embryo and pregnancy outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Fertil Steril. 2003;79:42–8.
Sakkas D, Urner F, Bianchi PG, Bizzaro D, Wagner I, Jaquenoud N, Manicardi G, Campana A. Sperm chromatin anomalies can influence decondensation after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Hum Reprod. 1996;11:837–43.
Esterhuizen AD, Franken DR, Becker PJ, Lourens JG, Muller II, van Rooyen LH. Defective sperm decondensation: a cause for fertilization failure. Andrologia. 2002;34:1–7.
Razavi S, Nasr-Esfahani MH, Mardani M, Mafi A, Moghdam A. Effect of human sperm chromatin anomalies on fertilization outcome post-ICSI. Andrologia. 2003;35:238–43.
Cho C, Jung-Ha H, Willis WD, Goulding EH, Stein P, Xu Z, Schultz RM, Hecht NB, Eddy EM. Protamine 2 deficiency leads to sperm DNA damage and embryo death in mice. Biol Reprod. 2003;69:211–17.
Ramos L, De Boer P, Meuleman EJ, Braat DD, Wetzels AM. Chromatin condensation and DNA damage of human epididymal spermatozoa in obstructive azoospermia. Reprod Biomed Online. 2004;8:392–97.
Nasr-Esfahani MH, Salehi M, Razavi S, Anjomshoa M, Rozbahani S, Moulavi F, Mardani M. Effect of sperm DNA damage and sperm protamine deficiency on fertilization and embryo development post-ICSI. Reprod Biomed Online. 2005;11:198–205.
Manochantr S, Chiamchanya C, Sobhon P. Relationship between chromatin condensation, DNA integrity and quality of ejaculated spermatozoa from infertile men. Andrologia. 2012;44:187–99.
Acknowledgement
The authors thank andrology lab team Mr. Ramana, Ramesh and Mrs. Mythili for technical help.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Capsule
Sperm morphological abnormalities as predictive indicator for abnormal chromatin and DNA integrity.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sivanarayana, T., Krishna, C.R., Prakash, G.J. et al. CASA derived human sperm abnormalities: correlation with chromatin packing and DNA fragmentation. J Assist Reprod Genet 29, 1327–1334 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9885-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9885-9