Quantitative ultramorphological analysis of human sperm: fifteen years of experience in the diagnosis and management of male factor infertility.

The advantages of quantitative ultramorphological (QUM) sperm analysis in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility are presented. The QUM methodology is based on three elements: complementary scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observations of 7 sperm cell subcellular organelles (acrosome, postacrosomal lamina, nucleus, neck, axoneme, mitochondrial sheath, and outer dense fibers); systematic classification of the specific ultramorphological malformations into 4 pathological and the normal categories, indicating the morphological state of each subcellular organelle; and comparison between well-defined reference groups with opposite fertility status or treatment conditions. QUM has established 2 indices for the in vivo and in vitro male fertility potential: (1) Natural Fertility Index (NFI), with accurate prediction (97% sensitivity and 90% specificity) of 80% of the male patients; and (2) IVF score, with prediction of 76% of the nonfertilizing and 90% of fertilizing IVF groups.

Quantitative ultramorphological (QUM) analysis of human sperm: diagnosis and management of male infertility.

The advantages of quantitative ultramorphological (QUM) sperm analysis in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility are presented. QUM methodology is based on three elements: (1) complementary SEM and TEM observations of 7 sperm cell subcellular organelles: acrosome, postacrosomal lamina, nucleus, neck, axoneme, mitochondrial sheath, and outer dense fibers; (2) systematic classification of the specific ultramorphological malformations into 4 pathological and the normal categories, which indicate the morphological state of each subcellular organelle; and (3) comparison between well-defined reference groups with opposite fertility status or treatment conditions. QUM analysis has enabled the establishment of two indices that optimally express the in vivo and in vitro male fertility potential: The Natural Fertility Index (NFI), which allowed an accurate prediction (97% sensitivity and 90% specificity) of 80% of the naturally fertile and suspected infertile male patients, and the in vitro fertilization (IVF) score, which enabled prediction of 76% of the nonfertilizing and 90% of the fertilizing IVF groups.

Relationship between human sperm lipid peroxidation, comprehensive quality parameters and IVF outcome.

The membranes of human spermatozoa contain an extremely high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids and are therefore susceptible to lipid peroxidation damage. The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine the association between the lipid peroxidation levels of washed spermatozoa, as indicated by thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substance concentration, and: (a) semen quality evaluated by basic routine, biochemical, cytological and quantitative ultramorphological analyses; (b) IVF fertilization rate. Semen samples from 45 male partners of couples who had been referred for IVF treatment due to a female infertility factor were evaluated for quality as well as for thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substance concentrations.

ART success and in vivo sperm cell selection depend on the ultramorphological status of spermatozoa.

Management of male infertility has recently shifted from treatment of the subfertile man towards techniques of assisted reproduction (ART). This study aimed to evaluate the possible role of the ultramorphological status of the spermatozoon with respect to sperm selection in vivo and prediction of ART success. Ultramorphological sperm parameters were assessed retrospectively for 92 males with sufficient sperm density (10(7) spermatozoa ejaculate-1) whose wives conceived following a stepwise discarding of the female genital tract barriers, using intra-uterine insemination (IUI) (n = 26), in vitro fertilization (IVF) (n = 45) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (n = 21).

Ultramorphological sperm characteristics in the risk assessment of health effects after radiation exposure among salvage workers in Chernobyl.

We present a pilot study of individuals (liquidators) who were engaged in clean-up operations after the disaster at the nuclear power plant at Chernobyl in Ukraine. In the 10 years since the disaster, adverse health effects among exposed individuals have not been clearly defined. There is widespread fear of damage to the reproductive system, with implications for fertility problems and adverse effects on offspring.

Effect of acupuncture on sperm parameters of males suffering from subfertility related to low sperm quality.

The aim of this prospective controlled study was to assess the effect of acupuncture on the sperm quality of males suffering from subfertility related to sperm impairment. Semen samples of 16 acupuncture-treated subfertile patients were analyzed before and 1 month after treatment (twice a week for 5 weeks). In parallel, semen samples of 16 control untreated subfertile males were examined.

Semen Quality of Workers Exposed to Ionizing Radiation in Decontamination Work after the Chernobyl Nuclear Reactor Accident.

The objective of the study was to assess effects of radiation on sperm quality, including ultramorphology of spermatozoa of men who worked as salvage workers at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident site or in the adjacent region. Semen characteristics were assessed by light microscopy, biochemical analysis, and quantitative ultramorphologic analysis seven years after the accident. Samples were collected in the Ukraine, examined there by routine semen analysis, fixed, and transferred to Israel for further examinations.

The effect of antioxidant treatment on human spermatozoa and fertilization rate in an in vitro fertilization program.

Objective: To study the possible influence of antioxidant treatment on human spermatozoa and the fertilization rate in an IVF program.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Serlin Maternity Hospital, and the Laboratory of Male Fertility, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.

Relationship between anticomplement in seminal plasma and complement in follicular fluid associated with outcome in an in vitro fertilization program.

Purpose: The study was conducted to evaluate levels of anticomplement in seminal plasma and levels of complement in follicular fluid, in correlation with fertilization and pregnancy rate after in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection programs.

Materials And Methods: Anticomplement levels were determined in 70 couples undergoing in vitro fertilization therapy. In 15 of these couples, complement levels were measured.

Ultrastructural changes in sperm with improved fertilizability after treatment with egg yolk.

Objectives: To determine the existence of differences in the ultrastructural parameters between the medium-washed sperm samples of the affected and nonaffected egg yolk (EY) groups and to verify whether ultrastructural changes occur in the EY-affected spermatozoa after EY preincubation.

Setting: The study was performed in the Laboratory of the IVF Unit, Serlin Maternity Hospital, and the Laboratory of Male Fertility, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.

Patients: The positive group included 12 males who underwent 1.