ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP OF SPERM MORPHOLOGY WITH SEMINAL AND OTHER CLINICAL CONDITIONS OF SEMEN DONORS

The occurrence of abnormal forms of spermatozoa in human semen is quit e common. According to WHO, semen is considered normal even if it cont ains 50% morphologically abnormal spermatozoa. This study assessed whe ther the sperm morphology maintains any relation with the relevant cli nical conditions of the semen donor. One hundred samples representing normal and different types of male factor etiologies underwent semen a nd morphological analysis. Clinical information such as race, age, wei ght, profession, medication, medical history, and smoking habit of the semen contributors were recorded. The influence of seminal and clinic al features on sperm morphology was evaluated with multiple regression analysis. Head abnormalities were more common than tail abnormalities . Acrosomal defects and coiled tails were the most prevalent head and tail abnormalities, respectively. Regression analysis failed to confir m any strong association between sperm morphology and other seminal pa rameters. Accessory gland-related seminal parameters such as viscosity , volume, pH, and liquefaction showed the least association with the m orphological variability. Sperm morphology also showed poor correlatio n with race, age, weight, smoking habit, and work environment.