Do Nonspermatozoal Cells Mainly Stem from Spermiogenesis? Study of 106 Fertile and 102 Subfertile Men

Abstract

The various nonspermatozoal cell types in the semen of 106 fertile (F) and 102 subfertile (SF) men were described and their relative proportions estimated. About 94% (F) and 90% (SF) were found to be germinal elements, among which, respectively, about 27% and 51% were spermatids, 48% and 36% residual bodies, 19.4% and 2.6% primary spermatocytes, 0.03% and 0.61% spermatogonia. The epithelial cells and blood cells represented about 6% (F) and 10% (SF) of the nonspermatozoal cells; in F men 5.3% and in SF men 9.5% were found to be polymorphonuclear leukocytes. In SF men the predominance of spermatids might be due to a particular fragility of spermiogenesis. To the three stages of spermatogenesis.sbd.the gonial multiplication, meiosis, and spermiogenesis.sbd.might correspond three specific pathologies. A pathology of the very germ cell production was thus suggested, as well as a pathology of the means by which the final product would be controlled. The Sertoli cell was supposed to be mainly involved in the latter process.