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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects
Published on: April 21, 2022
A novel approach for the selection of human sperm using annexin V-binding and flow cytometry
Christiaan F Hoogendijk1, Theunis F Kruger, Patric J D Bouic
1Reproductive Biology Unit, Tygerberg Academic Hospital and Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Objective:
To develop a method whereby sperm with phosphatidylserine externalization can be separated from those without this feature. Because annexin V binds phosphatidylserine, this study is using this feature to select functional spermatozoa. In addition, the relationship between annexin V binding in human spermatozoa and normal sperm morphology according to strict criteria was to be assessed.
Design:
Prospective study.
Setting:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Stellenbosch University at Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Patient(S):
Semen from 14 healthy sperm donors. Exclusion criterion was the presence of less than 20 x 10(6)/mL total motile spermatozoa in the original sample.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Annexin V-negative sperm, annexin V-positive sperm, normal sperm morphology.
Intervention(S):
An aliquot of a semen sample after double density gradient centrifugation was incubated with annexin V fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate (FITC). Cell fluorescence signals were determined using a FACScalibur flow cytometer equipped with a FACSSort fluidic sorting module. The sorting procedure delivered two sperm subpopulations: annexin V-negative and annexin V-positive. Morphology slides were made and the sperm morphology was assessed according to strict criteria.
Result(S):
There was a significant enrichment of annexin V-negative sperm as well as morphologically normal sperm in the annexin V-negative subgroup after separation with flow cytometry. The percentage of morphologically normal sperm increased from 8.3% in the control to 11.9% in the annexin V-negative fraction, whereas the percentage of annexin V-positive sperm decreased to 5.7%.
Conclusion(S):
The annexin V-negative sperm subpopulation had morphologically superior quality sperm compared to annexin V-positive sperm. It is important to select morphologically normal sperm during intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as it may contribute to increased implantation and pregnancy rates (PR).
