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Evaluating Sperm Cell Morphology

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Protocols in Semen Biology (Comparing Assays)

Abstract

Evaluation of morphology of sperm cells is a vital step in the quality assessment of spermatozoa. Morphological assessment of spermatozoa involves staining with suitable probe. This chapter outlines several protocols of sperm morphology assessment which are, hitherto, rarely used, e.g. Papanicolaou, Shorr and Bryan/Leishman staining, in addition to describing several traditional ones currently used in the semen laboratories. Though protocol for commercial kits is not described here for obvious reasons, their demerits vis-à-vis other protocols requiring semen smear preparation step are given importance here for the benefit of the investigator. This chapter includes semen smear preparatory techniques in detail to make the chapter more complete.

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Key References

  1. Aksoy and othere (2012) See above [2] In-depth discussion and excellent background information related to merits of different staining techniques

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  2. WHO laboratory manual, 5th edn (2010) See above [8] For excellent explanation of semen evaluation protocols including protocols and semen smear preparation technique

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  3. Kumar and Singh (2003) See above [25] For procedures related to routine morphological evaluation of spermatozoa

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Correspondence to N. Srivastava .

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Srivastava, N., Pande, M., Din, O. (2017). Evaluating Sperm Cell Morphology. In: Srivastava, N., Pande, M. (eds) Protocols in Semen Biology (Comparing Assays). Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5200-2_8

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