Acrosomal integrity assessed by flow cytometry in men with variable sperm quality.

The binding of a specific, fluorescent acrosomal marker (FITC-labelled peanut lectin) to spermatozoa from men exhibiting differences in sperm quality by conventional criteria was quantitated by flow cytometry. When a standard number of cells was analysed, binding of the lectin diminished and became more variable as the degree of sperm pathology increased. In general, ejaculates with total sperm counts exceeding 120 x 10(6) cells exhibited a stable level of binding within relatively narrow limits. In two normozoospermic men, low levels of acrosomal fluorescence were demonstrated. The significance of these observations with regard to prognosis in assisted fertilization programmes is discussed.