[Morphologic studies of spermatozoa in disorders of motility]

On the basis of microscopical examination and further differentiation by special stain techniques, a new classification of defects of midpieces and tails of spermatozoa will be presented: First degree disorders i.e. abnormalities of the staining behaviour and minor structural defects, second degree disorders revealing breakes and coiling of spermatozoa tail, and finally severe third degree disorders only exhibiting a rudimentary anlage of the terminal segment of spermatozoa. The staining abnormalities of the first degree disorders are characterized by nonreactivity to the Polychrome stain of the Papanicolaou technique as well as to scarlet red stain of the Shorr technique. Although the majority of these spermatozoa do not exhibit morphological aberrations, they have to be regarded completely immotile. Considering this classification, we have observed a highly significant correlation between morphological findings of midpieces and tails and the total motility as well as the progressive motility of spermatozoa.