USE OF THE GUANINE-CYTOSINE (GC) SPECIFIC FLUOROCHROME, CHROMOMYCIN A(3), AS AN INDICATOR OF POOR SPERM MORPHOLOGY

Purpose: We have previously postulated that the chromomycin A(3) (CMA( 3))fluorochrome allows an indirect visualization of sperm chromatin pa ckaging quality and partially denatured sperm DNA, In this study we in vestigate the relationship between CMA(3) positivity and sperm morphol ogy. We also present data on the association between sperm morphology and the presence of endogenous nicks in sperm DNA. Methods: Semen samp les were examined from 81 males of the couples who were consulting for infertility treatment. CMA(3) fluorescence was assessed for all sampl es, while in 24 sperm samples we also examined for the presence of end ogenous nicks in the sperm DNA, Results: When sperm morphology was les s than 20% normal in a patient, the level of CMA(3) fluorescence and p resence of endogenous nicks were significantly higher than in patients with a higher incidence of morphologically normal sperm. Conclusions: CMA(3) could be used as an adjunct to the assessment of morphology as an evaluation method for poor sperm, Its value in predicting fertiliz ing ability when using either SUZI or ICSI awaits to be answered.