Pathology of the spermatic middle piece and infertility

Abstract

On the pathology of spermatozoa associated to infertility, it has been described a variety of alterations that include subtle axonemal defects such as lack of dineyn arms, and altered microtubular pattern (9+0). Also it has been reported acrosomal agenesy in round head sperms, and altered acrosomal modelation. All these alterations become responsible of sperm motility disarrangement that impair procreation. In these cases it is convenient the ultrasructural study with the purpose of a more correct and precise diagnosis and prognosis.Thus, we studied the subcellular spermatic pathology in semen of infertile men obteined by masturbation. The specimens were proccesed for electron microscopy by the usual method, after washing in phosphate buffer. Thin sections were observed in Carl Zeiss EM 109 electron microscope.In this series of 21 patients studied, 43% have showed alterations of the flagellar middle piece. At the optical microscope, the sperms showed short tail and were immotile or presented a big cytoplasmic drop and movement grade I or II (according to WHO classification).