Evaluation on Sperm Acrosome Integrity of Infertile Men with Varicocele

ObjectiveTo determine the sperm acrosome integrity of samples from infertile men with varicocele.MethodsForty-nine infertile men with varicocele were divided into three groups according to the grade of varicocele. Group A (grade I), B (grade II), and C (grade III) consisted of 15, 18, and 16 cases, respectively. Besides, 15 semen samples from normospermic donors were used as the control. The acrosome integrity of sperm was examined with fluorescein-labeled Pisum sativum agglutinin. Acrosomal ultrastructure was observed with transmission electron microscopy.ResultsIn three varicocele groups, most samples had high sperm abnormal morphol-ogy rates. There were significant differences in acrosome integrity rates between each varicocele group and the control (P<0.01). Group C had the lowest acrosome integrity rate among the three groups. Ultrastructural observation showed that acrosome mal-formations revealed acrosomal membranes defects, swelling, hypoplasia, and dissolution of the matrix.ConclusionsInfertile men with varicocele had low level of acrosome integrity. Severe varicocele for infertile men might be associated with severe acrosomal defects. Evalu-ating sperm acrosome should aid the understanding of the sperm structural state and benefit the treatment for infertile men.