Alterations in the morphology and motility of spermatozoa: relation with total sperm count Sperm morfoloji ve motilitesindeki değişikliklerin toplam sperm sayısı ile ilişkisi

Gönderilme tarihi: 23.10.2012 Kabul tarihi: 13.11.2012 Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in sperm morphology and motility in patients with different sperm counts, and to search the influence of sperm morphology over sperm motility. Materials and methods: We evaluated semen analysis of 1174 males admitted to infertility clinic using “Makler counting camber” for evaluation of number and motility, and strict criteria (Kruger-Tyberg) for the morphological assessment. According to total sperm count, patients were divided into three groups; group I (n=119) had <5x106/mL, group II (n=125) had 5-15x106/mL, and group III (n=930) had ≥15x106/mL total sperm count. The groups were compared in terms of motility, morphology and the distribution of sperm abnormalities. Results: Sperm motility was significantly lower in groups I-II compared to group III (p<0.01). In the semen analysis, normal sperm morphology above 4% was detected in 7.1% of group II, 17.5% of group III, and none in group I (p<0.01). Significantly less tail defects were detected in group III compared to others (p<0.01). Progressive sperm motility significantly correlated with morphology (r=0.38, p<0.001). Among morphologic abnormalities, tail problems were highly correlated with nonmotile sperm count (r=0.30, p<0.001). Tail defects correlated positively with midpiece (r=0.24, p<0.001), and negatively with head defects (r=-0.71, p<0.001). Normal sperm morphology had a negative relation with tail and midpiece defects (r=-0.20, p <0.001 and r=-0.30, p<0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Sperm motility and morphology were deteriorated with the decreasing sperm count in subfertile population. The chance of finding normal morphology above the critical value of 4% diminishes in cases with sperm counts less than 5x106 /mL. Therefore, it is logical to canalize these patients directly to assisted reproductive technologies.