This week, as I was performing a fertility spermogram and a strict morphology evaluation, I was lucky enough to catch an acrosome reaction « on the fly »! This is a privilege granted only to those who observe tens of thousands of spermatozoa each year and I thought it would be nice to share it with you.

What is the acrosome and why evaluating it during a spermogram?

It is in fact a vesicle, like a small bag if you wish, located at the rostral region of the spermatozoa (anterior head region).

This structure is necessary for the spermatozoa interaction with the zona pellucida. The zona pellucida is like a protein shell that englobes the ovum. The acrosome contains proteins required for fertilization and some of them are released to allow penetration. The description of this structure in human spermatozoa as mostly begun in the 60’s and 70’s

Well now, 50 years have passed. The importance of this structure and its role in the fertilization process has been clarified. Yet, the majority of laboratories performing spermograms do not examine acrosomes.

Nasci is the only clinical laboratory who verifies acrosomal integrity using flow cytometry when a spermogram is performed. Informations are available here : fertility spermogram PLUS

If you want to set an appointment for a fertility spermogram, you can click here.

Thank you for reading and come back often!

Dr Mathieu Boilard
Président, Nasci Biologie Médicale inc.