Quantification of mammalian sperm morphology by slit-scan flow cytometry

Journal Article · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1981 · Cytometry (Baltimore); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/cyto.990020512· OSTI ID:6841905

Benaron, D A; Gray, J W; Gledhill, B L; Lake, S; Wyrobek, A J; Young, I T

The head shapes of mammalian sperm were measured by slit-scan flow cytometry (SSFCM). Fluorescence profiles were measured for sperm from mice, rabbits, hamsters, and bulls, and for sperm from mice, rabbits, hamsters, and bulls, and for sperm from mice exposed to testicular x-irradiation from 0 to 900 rads. Some of the fluorescence profiles for sperm from the irradiated mice differed significantly from the profiles usually measured for sperm from unexposed mice. An algorithm was developed to determine the frequency of these sperm. The estimated frequencies of atypical profiles correlated well with the frequencies of abnormally shaped sperm determined by microscopic scoring. The maximum SSFCM sensitivity was not as high as that for the visual assay. However, only 100 profiles were measured by SSFCM at each dose while at least 500 sperm were scored visually at each dose. The sensitivity of the SSFCM assay should be increased substantially by measuring more profiles. The objective nature of SSFCM coupled with the high correlation with results from the visually based assay of morphology suggests the use of SSFCM to measure frequencies of misshapen sperm when testing for mutagens or monitoring for effects of environmental contaminants.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6841905
• Journal Information: Cytometry (Baltimore); (United States), Journal Name: Cytometry (Baltimore); (United States) Vol. 2:5; ISSN CYTOD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550800 -- Morphology
560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CELL FLOW SYSTEMS
DOSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FLUORESCENCE
GAMETES
GERM CELLS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUMINESCENCE
MAMMALS
MICE
MORPHOLOGY
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RODENTS
SPERMATOZOA
VERTEBRATES
X RADIATION