Morphology and meiotic segregation in spermatozoa from men of proven fertility

Estimates of semen parameters are important for defining normal ranges, which are currently established by 1999 World Health Organization guidelines. However, it is well known that semen evaluation is questionable because it is necessary for only 1 sperm to be able to reach and fertilize the oocyte. Spermiogram parameters and sperm morphology, evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were performed on semen samples from 25 men of proven fertility. Despite a generally normal sperm concentration, progressive motility was reduced in 9 cases. Sperm characteristics were evaluated with an established technique, and the mean of the percentages of sperm pathologies were confirmed by comparing to previous reports. A comparison of apoptosis and necrosis in the samples, as detected by TEM and an annexin V/propidium iodide assay, was also performed. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was carried out on the same samples using probes for chromosomes 18, X, and Y. The mean value of the frequency of total aneuploidy in the analyzed group was 0.627% (25th percentile = 0.563%; median = 0.625%; 75th percentile = 0.690%). This study of the incidence of disomy and diploidy in spermatozoa from fertile, apparently normal individuals is important for making comparisons with infertile cohorts to determine the real increase of aneuploidy in those cohorts.