A study of sperm quality assessment: Morphological defect in patients with normal sperm count

Abstract

Background: Sperm morphology is the major benchmark in assessment of male infertility. There are limited studies available on frequency of qualitative defects of sperm in patients with normal sperm count. Hence, the present study was done to assess the morphological defects in patients with normal sperm counts who came for infertility work up. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation of qualitative defects of sperm in patients having normal sperm counts. Materials and Methods: We have collected 70 samples with normal sperm count (≥15 million/mL). After routine sperm count and motility, Smears were fixed in ethanol and stained with Papanicolaou stain. Minimum of 200 spermatozoa were analyzed per sample. We have recorded normal sperm morphology and abnormal morphology and we have further categorized the data. Morphology was categorized as defect in head, middle piece and tail. Results: Most common morphological abnormalities detected in head region were double head (60%) followed by tapering head (42%). Most common defect observed in middle piece region was thick middle piece (57%) followed by bent neck (48%). Most frequent defect in tail region was coiled tail (14%). We have recorded 40 cases (57%) out of 70 showed multiple morphological defects. Conclusion: Qualitative defects in sperm play a key role in infertility workup. We must have to acknowledge the importance of morphological assessment of semen.