Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

08:58
Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes
Published on: November 28, 2018
Sperm head vacuoles--light microscopic and ultrastructural observations: a case report
Shucheng Zhang1, Ning Wang, Bin He
1National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Ultrastructural Pathology
|May 8, 2012
Summary
This study reports a rare case of male infertility caused by 100% vacuolated sperm heads. These sperm head vacuoles are linked to abnormal sperm development and chromatin structure, impacting fertility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Human Genetics
- Spermatozoa Ultrastructure
Background:
- Sperm head vacuoles are detectable via electron microscopy.
- Vacuoles exceeding 20% of head area are abnormal.
- This case presents primary spermatozoa deformity with 100% vacuolated heads.
Related Concept Videos
Sperm Structure and Semen Composition
During ejaculation, males release around 2-5 milliliters of semen, which is a complex mixture of mature sperm and various fluids produced by accessory glands. The mature sperm cells measure approximately 60 micrometers in length and consist of a head, neck, midpiece, and tail. The head is flattened and tapered, measuring about 4 to 5 micrometers in length. It contains a nucleus with condensed chromosomes and an acrosome, a cap-like structure filled with enzymes essential for penetrating the...
Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...
Sperm Transport
The journey of sperm from its origin to the point of ejaculation begins within the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Here, Sertoli cells produce fluid that propels non-motile sperm through a series of conduits, starting with the straight tubules leading to the rete testis. This interconnected network of tubules acts as the initial pathway for sperm, guiding them into the efferent ductules and then into the epididymis for maturation.
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...
Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies
Intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) are small vesicles 50-80 nm in diameter formed during the maturation of early endosomes. A specialized endosome containing numerous ILVs is called a multivesicular body (MVB). ILVs contain internalized molecules such as antigens, nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites. Some of these molecules are released from the MVBs inside exosomes and are transported to other cells. Other MVBs contain molecules that are retained in the ILVs and are later degraded within the...
