[Computer-assisted analysis of sperm morphology in veterinary medicine]

The evaluation of spermatozoal morphology is an essential step to determine the fertility potential in male individuals. The method of computer-assisted morphometry provides an efficient tool to evaluate objectively morphological anomalies of the sperm head. This review describes the development and current status of morphometry systems and addresses the various problems associated with this method in veterinary medicine. Although there are some unanswered questions, a number of interesting results have been obtained. In all species investigated an individual influence on sperm head dimensions could be demonstrated. In the bull the extent of variability rather than absolute morphometric data is related to individual fertility. The method of computer-assisted morphometry will also help to develop well defined criteria for subjective evaluation of sperm morphology. Further research has to be directed towards the evaluation of the sperm mid-piece. The ultimate goal is the automatic determination of spermatozoal morphology.