Association of sperm apoptosis and DNA ploidy with sperm chromatin quality in human spermatozoa
Received 14 November 2007; received in revised form 11 January 2008; accepted 11 January 2008. published online 07 May 2008.
Objective
To examine the relationship among sperm apoptosis, sperm chromatin status, and DNA ploidy in different sperm fractions.
Design
Prospective study.
Setting
Reproductive research center in a tertiary care hospital.
Intervention(s)
Sperm prepared by density gradient were evaluated for sperm count, motility, apoptosis, and sperm chromatin assessment.
Main Outcome Measure(s)
Sperm count, sperm motility, toluidine blue (TB) results, DNA fragmentation index (%DFI), high DNA stainability, DNA cytometry, and early and late apoptosis.
Result(s)
Sperm motility was related to late apoptotic and subhaploid apoptotic sperm (r = −0.56 and −0.53, respectively). The sperm %DFI showed significant correlation with late apoptotic and subhaploid sperm (r = 0.62 and 0.68). TB-stained sperm were significantly correlated with late apoptotic sperm (r = 0.51). Significantly higher proportions of haploid sperm and light blue TB-stained sperm were seen in mature compared with immature fractions.
Conclusion(s)
Even in semen samples with low %DFI, semen processing results in a lower incidence of nuclear immaturity and subhaploidy, but the incidence of late apoptotic sperm remains unchanged. Therefore, simultaneous evaluation of apoptosis and sperm chromatin status is important for processing sperm in assisted reproductive procedures.
Reprint requests: Ashok Agarwal, Ph.D., H.C.L.D., Professor and Director, Reproductive Research Center, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Desk A19.1, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland OH 44195 (FAX: 216-445-6049).
R.Z.M. has nothing to disclose. R.K.S. has nothing to disclose. T.M.S. has nothing to disclose. J.E. has nothing to disclose. A.A. has nothing to disclose.
ABSTRACT