Accurate sperm morphology assessment predicts sperm function: Sperm morphology and sperm function
Open accessAbstract
Sperm morphology has been associated with in vitro as well as in vivo fertilisation. The study aimed to evaluate the possible relation between the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology and the following sperm functional assays: (i) zona-induced acrosome reaction (ZIAR); (ii) DNA integrity; (iii) chromatin condensation; (iv) sperm apoptosis; and (v) fertilisation rates. Regression analysis was employed to calculate the association between morphology and different functional tests. Normal sperm morphology correlated significantly with the percentages of live acrosome-reacted spermatozoa in the ZIAR (r = 0.518; P < 0.0001; n = 92), DNA integrity (r = -0.515; P = 0.0018; n = 34), CMA(3) -positive spermatozoa (r = -0.745; P < 0.0001; n = 92), sperm apoptosis (r = -0.395; P = 0.0206; n = 34) and necrosis (r = -0.545; P = 0.0009; n = 34). Negative correlations existed between for the acrosome reaction, and DNA integrity, while negative associations were recorded with the percentages of CMA(3) -positive spermatozoa, apoptotic and necrotic spermatozoa. Sperm morphology is related to sperm dysfunction such as poor chromatin condensation, acrosome reaction and DNA integrity. Negative and significant correlations existed between normal sperm morphology and chromatin condensation, the percentage of spermatozoa with abnormal DNA and spermatozoa with apoptotic activity. The authors do not regard sperm morphology as the only test for the diagnosis of male fertility, but sperm morphology can serve as a valuable indicator of underlying dysfunction.
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Pathophysiological studies have shown sometimes controversial associations between sperm morphology and sperm competence (aptitude to undergo the acrosomal reaction, DNA integrity, chromatin condensation, etc.).
“Sperm morphology assessment has also been examined in numerous pathophysiological studies that have shown sometimes controversial associations between morphology and sperm competence (aptitude to undergo the acrosomal reaction, DNA integrity, chromatin condensation, etc.) [5, 6, 7, 8].”
From Recommendations for Human Sperm Morphology Assessment in 2025: An Expert Review From the French BLEFCO Group (2026) · cites this paper as [7]
The Results and Discussion report associations between sperm morphology and acrosome reaction, DNA integrity, and chromatin condensation, and the Discussion cites previous studies of these relationships. Our copy does not characterize the associations across studies as controversial; it says only that the relationship between nuclear condensation and sperm-head morphology is not clearly understood. Page numbers were not available in the supplied passages. (LLM, conf=0.82)
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The evaluation of morphological characteristics of human spermatozoa according to stricter criteria
Menkveld, R., Stander, F. S. H., Kotze, T. J. V., Kruger, T. F., & Zyl, J. A. V. (1990) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a137150 · Cited by 677 · see citing works
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Research works printed but not linked: 4
- Menkveld R (2010) Clinical significance of the low normal sperm morphology value as proposed in the fifth edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen. Asian J Androl 12:47-58.
- Ombelet W, Menkveld R, Kruger TF, Steeno O (1995) Sperm morphology assessment: historical review in relation to fertility. Hum Reprod 1:543-557.
- World Health Organization (1992) WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination of Human semen and Sperm-Cervical Mucus Interaction, 3rd edn. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- World Health Organization (1999) WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination of Human Semen and Semen-Cervical Mucus Interaction, 4th edn. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
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Gatimel, N., Barbotin, A., Mery, L., Beauvillard, D., Bendayan, M., Boursier, A., Boueilh, T., Pereira, B., Chammas, J., Jacquet, J., et al. (2026) · Andrology · doi:10.1111/andr.70134 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
- Authors
- Abu Hassan Abu, D., Franken, D. R., Hoffman, B., & Henkel, R.
- Affiliations
- Stellenbosch University (ZA)
- Tshwane University of Technology (ZA)
- University of the Western Cape (ZA)
- ORCID
- Henkel, R.
- Venue
- Andrologia
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2011-11-01
- Volume
- 44
- Pages
- 571-577
- ISSN
- 0303-4569 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2131601992
- Cited by
- 24
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 2.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Andrologia (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- South African Medical Research Council
- University of Pretoria
- Medical Research Council
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Physiology › Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Reproductive Health and Technologies
- Keywords
- sperm morphology, sperm function, acrosome reaction, sperm DNA integrity, chromatin condensation, sperm apoptosis, sperm necrosis, male fertility, fertilization rate, male infertility diagnosis
- MeSH terms
- Fertilization in Vitro, Humans, Male, Spermatozoa, Apoptosis, Acrosome Reaction
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