Publications by authors named "Maria Grazia Federico"
Semen parameters were evaluated by a variety of tests. A polarizing microscope (PM) which allows, in a single step, for the evaluation of the number, motility, viability of sperm using the phenomenon of birefringence was used. This approach avoids a Papanicolaou staining procedure modified for sperm (PAP) performed in fixed material.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To characterize a novel flagellar defect involving 98% of sperm tails.
Design: Case report.
Setting: Interdepartmental Centre for Research and Therapy of Male Infertility, Siena, Italy.
Purpose: To verify the prevalence of semen bacterial contamination and whether the contamination could decrease sperm quality.
Methods: Spermiogram, semen culture, and sperm transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis were performed. TEM data were elaborated using a mathematical formula that calculates a fertility index (FI)--able to define patients as fertile or infertile--and the percentage of sperm apoptosis, immaturity and necrosis.
Article Synopsis
- This study characterizes a flagellar defect in 95% of sperm from an infertile 42-year-old man with severe asthenozoospermia.
- Ultrastructural analysis using electron microscopy revealed the absence of key components like the axoneme and outer dense fibers in the sperm flagella, while the midpiece was abnormally elongated.
- The findings suggest a potential genetic origin for this rare defect, as indicated by the significant abnormalities observed in the sperm population.