SUBMICROSCOPIC MATHEMATICAL EVALUATION OF SPERMATOZOA IN ASSISTED REPRODUCTION .4. THE BOVINE FERTILIZATION (NOTULAE-SEMINOLOGICAE-10)

In this paper we apply a modification of the formula of Baccetti et al . (1995) in the evaluation of submicroscopical characteristics of bull spermatozoa used in assisted reproduction. In the present experiment sperm quality is proposed as a useful parameter in predicting the succ ess of fertilization. Our results demonstrate that the percentage of s permatozoa devoid of submicroscopic defects, according to the particul ar Bayesan formula proposed by us, is clearly correlated with the resu lt of artificial insemination. In fact, the parameter concerning sperm quality obtained in variously successful donors shows a large correla tion with fertility power. The synthetic parameters observed are there fore a good tool in the prediction of sperm power in artificial fertil ization. The evaluation is mainly concerned with the quality of the ac rosomal characters, the status of the chromatin, the shape of mitochon dria, the position of the postacrosomal sheath, the perinuclear space and the axonemal pattern. All these characters are expressed with diff erent means in ejaculates. All these data confirm that submicroscopic- mathematical evaluation offers a convincing and reliable diagnosis bas ed upon sperm structure and functions such as acrosomal reaction and c ell motility. It has been also demonstrated that sperm quality is a ma jor factor in the success of artificial insemination and it is clearly revealed in the integrity of most of sperm organelles.