Sperm integrity is critical for normal mitotic division and early embryonic development

The human zygote relies on the paternal gamete to provide the centrosome component essential for the first mitotic division. It is not known whether normal centrosome function requires an intact spermatozoon, or whether donation of an isolated paternal centrosome component can result in normal zygotes and embryos. To explore this possibility, mature human oocytes were microinjected with either intact or dissected spermatozoa. Fertilization and cleavage rates were documented; nuclear and cytoskeletal changes were observed with fluorescent immunocytochemistry; and chromosomal normality was assessed with fluorescent in-situ hybridization. A pilot study was performed to identify cytoskeletal features suggestive of centrosome function. Unfertilized oocytes and tripronucleate (3PN) zygotes from in-vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection were assessed to confirm the sequence of the landmarks of human fertilization. Oocytes injected with mechanically-dissected spermatozoa appear to be capable of normal pronuclear formation and embryonic cleavage, but do not undergo normal mitotic division. Although decondensed, apposed nuclei are noted in combination with diffuse cytoskeleton assembly, no spindle was detected in any zygote resulting from the injection of a dissected spermatozoon. Analysis of selected embryos resulting from dissected sperm injection revealed chromosomal mosaicism in the majority of specimens. The lack of a bipolar spindle, in combination with chromosomal mosaicism, suggests abnormalities of the mitotic apparatus when sperm integrity is impaired following dissection.