Semen parameters are seriously affected in acephalic spermatozoa syndrome

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Andrology
• Spermatozoa Morphology

Background:

• Previous research suggests a link between headless spermatozoa and poor semen quality.
• No systematic analysis has explored semen quality across varying proportions of headless spermatozoa.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between acephalic spermatozoa syndrome and semen quality in men.
• To analyze semen quality in relation to distinct proportions of headless spermatozoa.

Main Methods:

• Semen parameters were analyzed in patients with headless spermatozoa.
• Compared semen parameters to a control group of 413 age-matched prenatal examination patients.
• All analyses were conducted using a standardized methodology in a single laboratory.

Main Results:

• Semen parameter values, excluding volume, negatively correlated with the proportion of headless spermatozoa (PHS).
• Semen quality significantly decreased as PHS increased, with notable declines in motility, morphology, and vitality.
• Groups with PHS > 5% showed significantly lower semen quality compared to controls, particularly those with PHS > 20%.

Conclusions:

• Semen samples with headless spermatozoa generally exhibit lower quality.
• Increasing proportions of headless spermatozoa are associated with diminished semen quality.
• Accurate assessment and counting of headless spermatozoa are crucial, especially when exceeding 5% in ejaculate.