[The morphology of human spermatozoa--the norm and pathology]

Abstract

The careful analysis of sperm morphology is an important part of routine semen examination. Although, there are different classification systems and methods for staining of the semen smears, the prognostic value of this assessment for man's fertility potential requests to be an obligatory part of semen analysis. Literally review shows that there are united attitude towards the significance of this semen parameter in vivo and in vitro. Most promising is development of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as the treatment of first choice in cases of severe teratozoospermia (for example round-headed spermatozoa). This suggests that sperm morphology may be important in spermatozoa-zone binding, penetration and spermatozoon-oocyte fusion, but fails to be of any "normality" once the spermatozoa reaches the cytoplasm of the oocyte.