Further Observations on the Morphogenesis of the Round Headed Human Spermatozoa

Abstract

Sperm and testicular biopsies of an infertile human patient have been investigated using histochemical and electron microscopical technique. Spermiogram revealed a head defect, characterized with lacking acrosome and round and immature nucleoplasm, occuring in practically all cells and coiled tails in about a half of spermatozoa. EM study of spermatids has shown an abortive development of acrosome, whose primordium failed to attach the nucleus and expand, instead regressed. The nucleus failed in shaping and retarded in maturing, a disturbance apparently associated with the aplasia of hypoplasia of caudal manchette. The role of zinc in nuclear differentiation and the shape of head in the movement pattern are discussed.