Norma P Oliveira, Gerta N Frantz, Adriana Bos-Mikich, Marcelo O Ferreira, Nilo Frantz
JBRA Assist. Reprod. 2006; 10 (1):7-10
Received October 27, 2005
Accepted December 04, 2005
Abstract
Semen analysis constitutes the basis for male fertility assessment. New parameters and assays to be included in routine semen analysis are frequently being reported aiming to increase the clinical value of the semen analysis. Here we performed a retrospective study, which aimed to investigate the relationship between semen samples presenting sperm with positive phototropism and standard semen parameters. Our results show that there is no signifi cant difference between semen samples presenting positive or negative phototropism regarding their concentration, motility, longevity and sperm morphology values. This data suggest that positive phototropism may not be a useful sperm viability parameter, but the phenomenon deserves further investigation in light of the recent reports of photoreceptors in sperm axoneme.
