Comparison between chromatin condensation and morphology from testis biopsy extracted and ejaculated spermatozoa and their relationship to ICSI outcome

A significant association between male subfertility, imperfect spermiation and abnormal nuclear condensation has been suggested. The DNA content of sp ermatozoa might be responsible for inducing alterations in sperm morphology . The final nuclear Shape, which is species-specific, depends on chromatin condensation during spermatogenesis as well as a precise organization of DN A within the nucleus. Many reports have described the association between d isturbances in sperm chromatin condensation, morphology and male infertilit y. Chromatin condensation is achieved by gradual substitution of lysine-ric h somatic histones by testis-specific histone and finally by protamine. In this study two groups of patients were compared: the first consisted of 63 patients who had undergone intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with fre shly ejaculated spermatozoa whereas the second included 47 patients assigne d to ICSI with testes biopsy-extracted spermatozoa. In both groups chromati n condensation was assessed by aniline blue staining and morphology evaluat ed according to strict criteria. The condensed chromatin and morphology of spermatozoa were significantly (P < 0.0001) less in the second group compar ed to the first. However the fertilization, cleavage, implantation and preg nancy rates were almost the same in both investigated groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to ICSI outcome. The percentage of chromatin condensation (nuclear maturity) and morphologi cally-normal spermatozoa were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in the ejac ulated spermatozoa than in those from testis biopsy but the ICSI outcome (f ertilization, cleavage, implantation and pregnancy rates) was the same. In view of these results the fertilization capability and the embryo quality o btained using testis biopsy extracted spermatozoa is not influenced by chro matin condensation and sperm morphology in testicular sperm extraction (TES E)-ICSI programmes. Therefore, it could be said that neither chromatin cond ensation nor morphology of testis extracted sperm could predict the fertili zation, implantation and pregnancy rate in TESE-ICSI programmes.