The relationship between human sperm apoptosis, morphology and the sperm deformity index.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to assess the relationship between apoptosis in human ejaculated spermatozoa, sperm morphology and the novel sperm deformity index (SDI). METHODS Semen specimens from 50 healthy donors were prepared by density-gradient centrifugation followed by incubating the prepared sperm with paramagnetic annexin V-conjugated microbeads and subjecting this to magnetic cell sorting (MACS). The procedure delivers two sperm fractions: annexin-negative (non-apoptotic) and annexin-positive (apoptotic). Activated caspase-3 levels and the integrity of the sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were assessed as markers of apoptosis in the annexin-negative and -positive aliquots following MACS. Sperm morphology and the SDI scores were assessed using the strict criteria. RESULTS Compared with the apoptotic sperm subpopulations, the non-apoptotic sperm subpopulations had an improved sperm morphology profile as demonstrated by significantly higher proportions of sperm with normal morphology and significantly lower SDI scores and percentages of sperm with acrosomal defects, midpiece defects, cytoplasmic droplet and tail defects. There was a significant correlation between sperm morphology attributes studied and the expressed apoptotic markers - caspase-3 activation and MMP integrity. CONCLUSIONS Non-apoptotic sperm fractions have morphologically superior quality sperm compared with apoptotic fractions as reflected by significantly lower SDI scores. The study results may support abortive apoptosis, where the apoptotic mechanism of sperm is already triggered prior to ejaculation.