Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Morphology and X-ray microprobe analysis of spermatozoa from fertile and infertile men in in vitro fertilization

  • Published:
Journal of in Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper reports differences observed in the elemental content of fertile and infertile human spermatozoa used in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program. “Fertile” and “infertile” were designated by the successful penetration or failure to penetrate an oocyte in vitro. We report morphological and morphometric differences which, together with elemental changes, may be causes of infertility in apparently normal spermatozoa. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in sodium and chlorine concentrations between fertile and infertile samples and there was more chlorine than could be accounted for as sodium chloride. Many spermatozoa showed particles adhering to tails, with a higher incidence of “contamination” in the infertile spermatozoa. There were significant differences in both shapes of heads and lengths of tails between fertile and infertile spermatozoa.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Sundström P, Nilsson O, Liederholm P: Cleavage rate and morphology of early embryos obtained after artificial fertilization and culture. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1981;60:109–120

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Lopata A, Kohlman DJ, Kellow GN: The fine structure of human blastocysts developed in culture. Prog Clin Biol Res 1982;85:69–85

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Dvorak M, Tesarik J, Pilka L, Travnik P: Fine structure of human two cell ova fertilized and cleavedin vitro. Fertil Steril 1982;37:661–667

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Mohr L, Trounson A: Comparative ultrastructure of hatched human, mouse and bovine blastocysts. J Reprod Fert 1982;66:499–504

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Trounson A, Mohr L: Human pregnancy following cryopreservation, thawing and transfer after an eight cell embryo. Nature 1983;305:707–709

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Chandler JA, Battersby S: X-ray microanalysis of ultrathin frozen and freeze dried sections of human sperm cells. J Microsc 1976;107:55

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Faine-Maurel MA, Dadoune JP: Scanning electron microscopy X-ray. Microanalysis and distribution of elements within the head of human spermatozoa. Arch Androl 1979;3:1–11

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Baccetti B, Burrini AG, Pallini V: Spermatozoa and cilia lacking axoneme in an infertile man. Andrologia 1980;12:525–532

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Chandler JA: Application of X-ray microanalysis in reproductive physiology. Scan Electron Microsc 1980;Pt 2:475–484

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Dadoune JP, Fain-Maurel MA, Guillaumin M, Guillaumin D: Scanning electron microscope morphometry of a discriminated population of elongated human spermatozoa. Int J Fertil 1980;25:18–27

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Harrison RF, Sheppard BL, Kaliszerm M: Observation on the motility, ultrastructure and elemental composition of human spermatozoa incubated with caffeine. II. A time sequence study. Andrologia 1980;12:434–443

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Muscato JJ, Haney AF, Weinberg JB: Sperm phagocytosis by human peritoneal macrophages: A possible cause of infertility in endometriosis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1980;144:503–510

    Google Scholar 

  13. Shappard BL, Sheppard U, Harrison RF: The preparation of human spermatozoa for analytical and scanning electron microscopy. J Microsc 1980;119:241–247

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Cheng CY, Rose RJ, Boettcher B: The binding of oestrodiol-17B to human spermatozoa—an electron microscope autoradiographic study. Int J Androl 1981;4:304–313

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Langlais J, Zollinger M, Plante L, Chapdelaine A, Bleau G, Roberts KD: Localization of cholesterol sulfate in human spermatozoa in support of the hypothesis for the mechanism of capacitation. Proc Natl Acad Sci 1981;78:7266–7270

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Mortimer D: The assessment of human sperm morphology in surface replica preparations for transmission electron microscopy. Gamete Res 1981;4:113–119

    Google Scholar 

  17. Perroti ME, Gariola A, Gioria M: Ultrastructural study of the decapitated sperm defect in infertile men. J Reprod Fert 1981;63:543–549

    Google Scholar 

  18. Söderström KO: An acrosomal abnormality in spermatids from infertile men. Arch Androl 1981;7:275–278

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Pedersen H, Hammen R: Ultrastructure of human spermatozoa with complete subcellular derangement. Arch Androl 1982;9:251–259

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Sauvalle AM, Prigent JR, Izard JY: A method of comparing spermatozoa with light and scanning electron microscopy. Acta Cytol 1982;26:371–375

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Hall TA, Gupta BL: The localization and assay of chemical elements by microprobe methods. Q Rev Biophys 1983;16:279–339

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Appleton TC: A cryostat approach to ultrathin “dry” frozen sections for electron microscopy: A morphological and X-ray analytical study. J Microsc 1974;100:49–74

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Edwards RG, Anderson, Pickering, Purdy JM: Rapid assay of urinary LH in women using a simplified method of Hi-Gonavis.In Human Conceptionin Vitro, RG Edwards, JM Purdy (eds). London, Academic Press, 1982, pp 19–34

    Google Scholar 

  24. Brown JB, McLeod SG, MacNaughton C, Smith MA, Smyth B: A rapid method for estimating oestrogens in urine using a semi-automatic extractor. J Endocrinol 1968;42:5–15

    Google Scholar 

  25. Steptoe PC, Edwards RG, Purdy JM: Clinical aspects of pregnancies established with cleaving embryos grown in culture. Br J Obstet Gynecol 1980;87:737–756

    Google Scholar 

  26. Edwards RG: Test-tube babies. Nature 1981;293:253–256

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Steptoe PC, Webster J: Laproscopy of normal and disordered ovary.In Human Conceptionin Vitro, RG Edwards, JM Purdy (eds). London, Academic Press, 1982, pp 97–103

    Google Scholar 

  28. Edwards RG, Purdy JM, Steptoe PC, Walters: The growth of human pre-implantation embryosin vitro. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1981;141:404–416

    Google Scholar 

  29. Purdy JM: Methods forin vitro fertilization and embryo culturein vitro.In Human Conceptionin Vitro, RG Edwards, JM Purdy (eds). London, Academic Press, 1982, pp 135–148

    Google Scholar 

  30. Edwards RG, Steptoe PC: Induction of follicular growth, ovulation and luteinization of the human ovary. J Reprod Fertil Suppl 1975;2:121–156

    Google Scholar 

  31. Edwards RG: Conception in the Human Female. London, Academic Press, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  32. Fishel S, Edwards RG: Essentials of fertilization.In Human Conceptionin Vitro, RG Edwards, JM Purdy (eds). London, Academic, Press, 1982, pp 157–179

    Google Scholar 

  33. Appleton TC: Cryo-ultramicrotomy, possible applications in cytochemistry.In Electron Microscopy and Cytochemistry, E Wisse, WTh Daems, I Molenaar, P van Dui (eds). Amsterdam, North-Holland, 1974, pp 229–242

    Google Scholar 

  34. Appleton TC: The contribution of cryo-ultramicrotomy to X-ray microanalysis in biology.In Electron Probe Microanalysis in Biology, DA Erasmus (ed). London, Chapman & Hall, 1978, pp 148–182

    Google Scholar 

  35. Appleton TC: The localization of diffusible substances: Experience in the electron microscope. J Histochem Cytochem 1979;27:1518–1519

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Warley A, Stephen J, Hockaday A, Appleton TC: X-ray microanalysis of HeLa S3 Cells. I. Instrumental calibration and analysis of randomly growing cultures. J Cell Sci 1983;60:217–229

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Swenson CE, O'Leary WM: Examination of human semen infected with Ureaplasma urealyticum by fluorescence microscopy. Arch Androl 1980;5:373–377

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Chandler JA: X-ray microanalysis in the electron microscope.In Practical Methods in the Electron Microscope, AM Glauert (ed). Amsterdam, North-Holland, Vol 5, pp 503–505

  39. Hyne RV, Higgison RE, Kohlman D, Lopata A: Sodium requirement for capacitation and membrane fusion during guinea pig sperm acrosome reaction. J Reprod Fert 1984;70:83–94

    Google Scholar 

  40. Baker JRJ, Appleton TC: A technique for electron microscopeautoradiography (and X-ray microanalysis) of diffusible substances using freeze-dried fresh frozen sections. J Microsc 1976;108:307–315

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physiological Laboratory, Bourn Hall Clinic, Bourn, CB3 7TR, Cambridge, UK

    T. C. Appleton

Authors
  1. T. C. Appleton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. B. Fishel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Appleton, T.C., Fishel, S.B. Morphology and X-ray microprobe analysis of spermatozoa from fertile and infertile men in in vitro fertilization. J Assist Reprod Genet 1, 188–203 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01139213

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01139213

Key Words

Search

Navigation