Acrosome reaction, acrosin levels, and sperm morphology in assisted reproduction

Abstract

Strict criteria are clinically helpful and can be used to counsel patients and to plan correct treatment in assisted reproduction to alleviate male-factor problems. It can be concluded that normal sperm morphology is needed for normal sperm function, especially sperm-zona pellucida binding, the acrosome reaction with release of (pro)acrosin, and sperm-oolemma fusion. The inclusion of an acrosome index, however, can be a more valuable addition to the evaluation of sperm morphology for the prediction of expected IVF rates, especially in patients with 4% or less morphologically normal spermatozoa.