Contraindication of ART following a sperm FISH analysis, even though only 12% of the spermatozoa had enlarged heads. (2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guthauser, Bruno; Boitrelle, Florence; Albert, Martine; Ketata, Fadoua; Meynant, Celine; Ferfouri, Fatma; Selva, Jacqueline; Vialard, Francois
• Is Part Of: Systems biology in reproductive medicine. Volume 59:Number 4(2013:Aug.)
• Page Start: 214
• Page End: 217
• Publication Date: 2013
• Subjects: Systems biology -- Periodicals; Andrology -- Periodicals; Generative organs, Male -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Biological systems -- Periodicals; Reproductive health -- Periodicals; Human reproduction -- Periodicals; 612.61
• DOI: 10.3109/19396368.2013.783646
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1939-6368

Abstract

Abstract : We report on a couple with a five-year history of idiopathic primary infertility. Two early miscarriages had followed intrauterine insemination (IUI). The man's fertility was then re-evaluated, in order to establish whether or not IUI was the best treatment option. Although the semen parameters were normal (sperm concentration: 89 million/ml; progressive motility: 40%; percentage of typical forms: 20%), a computer-assisted sperm morphology analysis with strict criteria found that 12% of the spermatozoa had enlarged heads. All of the latter had a normal form and none had multiple flagella. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, we found that the proportion of aneuploid and diploid spermatozoa was 78% for the sample as a whole and 68% for normally-shaped spermatozoa with a normal-sized head. Although treatment options are well documented for men with macrocephalic sperm head syndrom, there is no consensus on individuals with a low but non-negligible proportion of spermatozoa with enlarged heads. Here, our FISH results contraindicated the use of assisted reproductive technology with the man's sperm. The couple decided to resort to donor sperm.