Evaluation on the Morphology and Membrane Integrity of Immotile Human Sperm

Objective To determine the membrane integrity in the head and tail regions of individual spermatozoon, and observe sperm morphology for samples with totally immotile sperm.Methods Ten infertile men with immotile sperm were enrolled into this study (group A).The membrane integrity in the head and tail regions of individual spermatozoon of immotile sperm was examined by using the combined hypo-osmotic swelling-eosin Y exclusion test (HOS-EY test). Sperm morphology was observed by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Ten semen samples from normospermic donors were used as the control (group B).Results The percentage of sperm with intact both head and tail membranes in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (P＜0.01), whereas the value of sperm with defective head membrane but intact tail membrane in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (P＜0.01) Abnormal sperm morphology in group A had a high incidence, and immotile sperm with viability and normal morphology could be observed in some cases. Most sperm had multiple ultrastructural defects.Conclussion Some immotile sperm had intact tail membrane but defective head membrane. Immotile sperm with viability and normal morphology could exist in some cases though abnormal sperm were in a great proportion. Carefully evaluating immotile sperm membrane integrity and morphology should benefit the treatment of patients with immotile sperm.