Introduction: During spermiogenesis, protaminosis and sperm chromatin condensation are important prerequisites for the preservation of DNA integrity in spermatozoa. The aim of this study is to assess Gram stain as an alternative technique for the evaluation of human sperm chromatin condensation status. Patients and Methods: Aniline blue and Gram staining were applied to semen samples from 34 donors in order to determine the relationship between sperm chromatin condensation and infertility. In addition, the possible correlation between morphology and vitality (eosin-Y staining) of spermatozoa compared with their nuclear status (aniline blue and Gram staining) was studied. Results: Chromatin condensation and sperm vitality were significantly higher in fertile men compared to the subfertile. A significant correlation was found between chromatin condensation and (a) sperm vitality (p < 0.01), and (b) nuclear protein status (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Gram staining may be used as a routine method in assisted reproduction laboratories and could assist in the evaluation of sperm quality as well as in the selection of the appropriate fertilization technique.

Keywords:
Aniline blue staining, Chromatin condensation, Eosin-Y staining, Gram staining, Human spermatozoa
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© 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel
2006
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