Abnormal volumetric brain morphometry and cerebral blood flow in adolescents with depression

BACKGROUND Prior research has demonstrated that the brains of adolescents with depression exhibit distinct structural alterations.However,preliminary studies have documented the pathophysiological changes in certain brain regions,such as the cerebellum,highlighting a need for further research to support the current understanding of this disease.AIM To study brain changes in depressed adolescents.METHODS This study enrolled 34 adolescents with depression and 34 age-,sex-,and education-level-matched healthy control(HC)individuals.Structural and functional alterations were identified when comparing the brains of these two participant groups through voxel-based morphometry and cerebral blood flow(CBF)analysis,respectively.Associations between identified brain alterations and the severity of depressive symptoms were explored through Pearson correlation analyses.RESULTS The cerebellum,superior frontal gyrus,cingulate gyrus,pallidum,middle frontal gyrus,angular gyrus,thalamus,precentral gyrus,inferior temporal gyrus,superior temporal gyrus,inferior frontal gyrus,and supplementary motor areas of adolescents with depression showed an increase in brain volume compared to HC individuals.These patients with depression further presented with a pronounced drop in CBF in the left pallidum(group=98,and peak t=-4.4324),together with increased CBF in the right percental gyrus(PerCG)(group=90,and peak t=4.5382).In addition,17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores were significantly correlated with the increased volume in the opercular portion of the left inferior frontal gyrus(r=-0.5231,P<0.01).CONCLUSION The right PerCG showed structural and CBF changes,indicating that research on this part of the brain could offer insight into the pathophysiological causes of impaired cognition.

Impact of Multifidus Muscle Morphometry on the Clinical Evolution of Chronic Low Back Pain

Purpose: The multifidus muscle is an important extensor muscle of the lumbar spine. It plays a major role in the stability and realization of axial rotation movements of the thoraco-lumbar spine. Its atrophy by fatty degeneration would be at the origin of the occurrence of chronic low back pain which constitutes a public health problem in Senegal. Taking into account its anatomy is essential for the etiopathogenic analysis and the treatment of low back pain. The purpose of our work was to investigate the impact of multifidus muscle morphometry on the anatomy-clinical evolution of low back pain. Material and method: this was a prospective study over a period of 30 months from November 2019 to May 2022. It involved 100 patients seen in the neurology department of Fann Hospital for chronic low back pain and who had already had a scanner falling within the criteria for low back pain. We used 3D Slicer, SPSS 20, Excel 2016 software to model and analyze the morphometric data of the multifidus muscle after physiotherapy and control lumbar scans. Results: The sex ratio was 2.23. The average age of the patients was 45 ± 7 years. On the initial CT scan, according to the Hadar classification, we noted a predominance of grade 2 with 56% in L5/S1, followed by grade 1 with 32% and grade 3 with 14%. In L4/L5, the majority of patients, 67%, had grade 1. A conflicting circumferential disc bulge with the roots predominating in L5/S1 was present in 94% of men (p-value = 0.02). Before physiotherapy, the average volume of the multifidus was 193 mm3 ± 39, after physiotherapy it was 203 mm3 ± 42 with a progression rate of 5.2%. Clinically, severe type pain had regressed from 86% before physiotherapy to 0% after physiotherapy (p-value = 0.03). Conclusion: Taking into account the morphometry of the multifidus is an essential element in the management of chronic low back pain.

Bull spermatozoa selected by thermotaxis exhibit high DNA integrity,specific head morphometry,and improve ICSI outcome

Background Sperm migration by thermotaxis is a guidance mechanism that operates along the oviduct and it has proved to be a valid method for selecting spermatozoa with low DNA fragmentation(SDF)in mice,humans,and stallions.This study aimed to analyse if bull spermatozoa could be selected by thermotaxis and to assess their quality in terms of SDF as well as determine the presence of a specific sperm subpopulation based on sperm morphometry and assess their fertilizing capacity by ICSI.Methods We used frozen-thawed sperm from 6 bulls and sperm selection by thermotaxis was performed with TALP medium supplemented with 25 mmol/L of HEPES and 5 mmol/L of caffeine.In these conditions,sperm selection was achieved,obtaining a net thermotaxis of 3.6%.Subsequently,we analysed the SDF of the migrated and not-migrated spermatozoa using the neutral COMET assay,and we evaluated the size of the sperm head using Hemacolor■ staining with Motic Images Plus 3 software.Additionally,migrated and not-migrated spermatozoa by thermotaxis were used to fertilize bovine in vitro matured(IVM)oocytes by ICSI,a very inefficient procedure in cattle that is only successful when the oocyte is artificially activated.Results The results showed lower SDF(χ^(2),P<0.001,13.3%reduction,n=8)and lower head size parameters(length and width,P<0.01;and perimeter and area,P<0.001;n=4)in those spermatozoa migrated in comparison to those not-migrated.The distribution of sperm subpopulations structure varied between groups,highlighting cluster 2,characterized by spermatozoa with small head size,and high ellipticity and elongated heads,as the most abundant in the thermotaxis migrated group.When performed ICSI(without oocyte artificial activation)with the thermotactic sperm,the blastocyst rate was 32.2%±9.3%in the group microinjected with the thermotactic spermatozoa vs.8.3%±7.8%in the group of not-migrated sperm(χ^(2),P<0.05).Conclusion Our results showed that bull sperm selection by thermotaxis has a much higher DNA integrity,small and elongated head size parameters,and different sperm subpopulation structure than the not-selected spermatozoa.Additionally,we evidenced that thermotactic spermatozoa improve ICSI success rates.

Regional gray matter abnormality in hepatic myelopathy patients after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: a voxel-based morphometry study

Hepatic myelopathy is a complication seen in patients with chronic liver failure with physiologic or iatrogenic portosystemic shunting. The main symptom is progressive lower limb dyskinesia. The role of the brain motor control center in hepatic myelopathy is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the gray matter changes in patients with hepatic myelopathy secondary to transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and to examine their clinical relevance. This was a cross-sectional study. Twenty-three liver failure patients with hepatic myelopathy(hepatic myelopathy group), 23 liver failure patients without hepatic myelopathy(non-hepatic myelopathy group) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, and 23 demographically matched healthy volunteers were enrolled from March 2014 to November 2016 at Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University(Fourth Military Medical University), China. High-resolution magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo brain imaging was acquired. Group differences in regional gray matter were assessed using voxel-based morphometry analysis. The relationship between aberrant gray matter and motor characteristics was investigated. Results demonstrated that compared with the non-hepatic myelopathy group, gray matter volume abnormalities were asymmetric, with decreased volume in the left insula(P = 0.003), left thalamus(P = 0.029), left superior frontal gyrus(P = 0.006), and right middle cingulate cortex(P = 0.021), and increased volume in the right caudate nucleus(P = 0.017), corrected with open-source software. The volume of the right caudate nucleus in the hepatic myelopathy group negatively correlated with the lower limb clinical rating of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment(r = –0.53, P = 0.01). Compared with healthy controls, patients with and without hepatic myelopathy exhibited overall increased gray matter volume in both thalami, and decreased gray matter volume in both putamen, as well as in the globus pallidus, cerebellum, and vermis. The gray matter abnormalities we found predominantly involved motor-related regions, and may be associated with motor dysfunction. An enlarged right caudate nucleus might help to predict weak lower limb motor performance in patients with preclinical hepatic myelopathy after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University(Fourth Military Medical University), China(approval No. 20140227-6) on February 27, 2014.

Transient elastography compared to liver biopsy and morphometry for predicting fibrosis in pediatric chronic liver disease: Does etiology matter?

AIM: To evaluate transient elastography(TE) as a noninvasive tool in staging liver fibrosis compared with liver biopsy and morphometry in children with different chronic liver diseases.METHODS: A total of 90 children [50 with chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV), 20 with autoimmune hepatitis(AIH) and 20 with Wilson disease] were included in the study and underwent liver stiffness measurement(LSM) using TE. Liver biopsies were evaluated for fibrosis, qualitatively, by Ishak score and quantitatively by fibrosis area fraction(FAF) using digital image analysis(morphometry). LSM was correlated with fibrosis and other studied variables using spearman correlation. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was alsoperformed to examine independent factors associated with LSM. Different cut-off values of LSM were calculated for predicting individual fibrosis stages using receiveroperating characteristic curve. Cut-off values with optimal clinical performance(optimal sensitivity and specificity simultaneously) were selected.RESULTS: The majority of HCV group had minimal activity(80%) and no/mild fibrosis(72%). On the other hand, the majority of AIH group had mild to moderate activity(70%) and moderate to severe fibrosis(95%) and all Wilson disease group had mild to moderate activity(100%) and moderate to severe fibrosis(100%). LSM correlated significantly with both FAF and Ishak scores and the correlation appeared better with the latter(r = 0.839 vs 0.879, P < 0.0001 for both). LSM discriminated individual stages of fibrosis with high performance. Sensitivity ranged from 81.4% to 100% and specificity ranged from 75.0% to 97.2%. When we compared LSM values for the same stage of fibrosis, they varied according to the different etiologies. Higher values were in AIH(16.15 ± 7.23 k Pa) compared to Wilson disease(8.30 ± 0.84 k Pa) and HCV groups(7.43 ± 1.73 k Pa). Multiple regression analysis revealed that Ishak fibrosis stage was the only independent variable associated with higher LSM(P < 0.0001).CONCLUSION: TE appears reliable in distinguishing different stages of liver fibrosis in children. However, its values vary according to the disease type. For that, a disease-specific estimation of cut-off values for fibrosis staging is worthy.

Comparative Morphology and Morphometry of Six Biotypes of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from China

Morphology and morphometry of six biotypes （B, Q, Cv, ZHJ-1, ZHJ-2 and ZHJ-3） of Bemisia tabaci （Gennadius） from China on cotton plants were studied by using microscopes. Nymphal body sizes and characters were measured and observed, especially on the 4th instar （pupal case）, including the vasiform orifice, operculum, lingula, length and thickness of anterior and posterior wax margins, width of thoracic tracheal combs. Adult characters of both sexes were investigated including the body size, compound eyes, antennal segments, vasiform orifice, hind tarsi and genitals. The results indicated that differences of some morphological characters or morphometrics were significant among the six biotypes of B. tabaci in China： （1） Pupal sizes of the exotic biotypes （B and Q） were significantly larger than the indigenous biotypes with the following order as B〉Q〉ZHJ-I〉Cv〉ZHJ-3〉ZHJ-2; （2） for both male and female adults, sizes of all characters investigated in the invading biotypes （B and Q）, especially B, were much larger than those of the indigenous ones.

在精神分裂症和听觉的幻觉的多模式的 morphometry 和功能的磁性的回声成像

AIM:To validate a multimodal[structural and functional magnetic resonance(MR)]approach as coincidence brain clusters are hypothesized to correlate with clinical severity of auditory hallucinations.METHODS:Twenty-two patients meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(fourth edition,DSM-Ⅳ)criteria for schizophrenia and experiencing persistent hallucinations together with 28 healthy controls were evaluated with structural and functional MR imaging with an auditory paradigm designed to replicate those emotions related to the patients’hallucinatory experiences.Coincidence maps were obtained by combining structural maps of gray matter reduction with emotional functional increased activation.Abnormal areas were correlated with the brief psychiatric rating scale(BPRS)and the psychotic symptom rating scale(PSYRATS)scales.RESULTS:The coincidence analysis showed areas with coexistence gray matter reductions and emotional activation in bilateral middle temporal and superior temporal gyri.Significant negative correlations between BPRS and PSYRATS scales were observed.BPRS scores were negatively correlated in the middle temporal gyrus(right)(t=6.86,P=0.001),while negative PSYRATS correlation affected regions in both the superior temporal gyrus(left)(t=7.85,P=0.001)and middle temporal gyrus(left)(t=4.97,P=0.002).CONCLUSION:Our data identify left superior and middle temporal gyri as relevant areas for the understanding of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.The use of multimodal approaches,sharing structural and functional information,may demonstrate areas specifically linked to the severity of auditory hallucinations.

Regional brain structural abnormality in ischemic stroke patients:a voxel-based morphometry study

Our previous study used regional homogeneity analysis and found that activity in some brain areas of patients with ischemic stroke changed significantly. In the current study, we examined structural changes in these brain regions by taking structural magnetic resonance imaging scans of 11 ischemic stroke patients and 15 healthy participants, and analyzing the data using voxel-based morphometry. Compared with healthy participants, patients exhibited higher gray matter density in the left inferior occipital gyrus and right anterior white matter tract. In contrast, gray matter density in the right cerebellum, left precentral gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and left middle temporal gyrus was less in ischemic stroke patients. The changes of gray matter density in the middle frontal gyrus were negatively associated with the clin- ical rating scales of the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment （r = -0.609, P = 0.047） and the left middle temporal gyrus was negatively correlated with the clinical rating scales of the nervous functional deficiency scale （r = -0.737, P = 0.010）. Our findings call objectively identify the functional abnormality in some brain regions of ischemic stroke patients.

White matter abnormalities in young males with antisocial personality disorder Evidence from voxel-based morphometry-diffeomorphic anatomical registration using exponentiated lie algebra analysis

Voxel-based morphometry-diffeomorphic anatomical registration using exponentiated lie algebra analysis was used to investigate the structural characteristics of white matter in young males with antisocial personality disorder （APD） and healthy controls without APD. The results revealed that APD subjects, relative to healthy subjects, exhibited increased white matter volume in the bilateral prefrontal lobe, right insula, precentral gyrus, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, right inferior parietal Iobule, right precuneus, right middle occipital lobe, right parahippocampal gyrus and bilateral cingulate, and decreased volume in the middle temporal cortex and right cerebellum. The white matter volume in the medial frontal gyrus was significantly correlated with antisocial type scores on the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire in APD subjects. These experimental findings indicate that white matter abnormalities in several brain areas may contribute to antisocial behaviors in APD subjects.

Magnetic resonance morphometry of the loss of gray matter volume in Parkinson's disease patients

Voxel-based morphometry can be used to quantitatively compare structural differences and func-tional changes of gray matter in subjects. In the present study, we compared gray matter images of 32 patients with Parkinson’s disease and 25 healthy controls using voxel-based morphometry based on 3.0 T high-field magnetic resonance T1-weighted imaging and clinical neurological scale scores. Results showed that the scores in Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment were lower in patients compared with controls. In particular, the scores of visuospatial/executive function items in Montreal Cognitive Assessment were significantly reduced, but mean scores of non-motor symptoms significantly increased, in patients with Parkinson’s dis-ease. In addition, gray matter volume was significantly diminished in Parkinson’s disease patients compared with normal controls, including bilateral temporal lobe, bilateral occipital lobe, bilateral parietal lobe, bilateral frontal lobe, bilateral insular lobe, bilateral parahippocampal gyrus, bilateral amygdale, right uncus, and right posterior lobe of the cerebel um. These findings indicate that voxel-based morphometry can accurately and quantitatively assess the loss of gray matter volume in patients with Parkinson＇s disease, and provide essential neuroimaging evidence for multisystem pathological mechanisms involved in Parkinson’s disease.

Morphology and Morphometry of the Lingual Nerve in Relation to the Mandibular Third Molar

The position and branching of the lingual nerve (LN) in the mandibular third molar region were documented in 30 head hemi-sections (16: right and 14: left). In all the dissections, the LN was found below the level of the posterior alveolar crest (PAC). Branching was observed in 26 (86.7%) of the 30 specimen in which one branch was most frequently given per hemi-section. All branches were located superior to the main trunk of the LN. The mean vertical distance of the LN from the PAC was 10.3 ± 5.2 mm (range: 2.8 - 19.9 mm) whereas the mean antero-posterior distance was 7.1 ± 2.8 mm (range: 1.3 - 15.6 mm). The mean mandibular height from the PAC was 28.7 ± 4.0 mm (range: 23.3 - 40.7 mm). The vertical distance and mandibular height correlated positively giving a ratio of 1:2.7 between the two parameters. There was no significant difference between the two sides of the head. Position of the LN differed from previous studies suggesting that ethnicity may have a role in morphometry of the nerve. Use of different methodology may also contribute to this. Branches of the LN being closer to the PAC may be more prone to injury than the main trunk during surgical treatment.

Surface-Based Morphometry of Human Brain: Intra-Individual Comparison Between 3T and 7T High Resolution Structural MR Imaging

Objective High resolution structural MR imaging can reveal structural characteristics of cerebral cortex and provide an insight into normal brain development and neuropsychological diseases. The aim of this study was to compare cortical structural characteristics of normal human brain between 3T and 7T MRI systems using surface-based morphometry based on high resolution structural MR imaging.Methods Twelve healthy volunteers were scanned by both 3T with 3D T1-weighted fast spoiled gradient recalled echo (3D T1-FSPGR) sequence and 7T with 3D T1-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo (3D T1-MPRAGE) sequence. MRI data were processed with FreeSurfer. The cortical thickness,white and gray matter surface area, convexity, and curvature from data of 3T and 7T were measured and compared by paired t-test.Results Measurements of mean cortical thickness, total white matter surface area and gray matter surface area of 3T were larger than those of 7T (left hemisphere: P=0.000, 0.006, 0.020 respectively; right hemisphere: P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000 respectively). Surface-based morphometry over the whole brain demonstrated both reduced and increased measurements of cortical thickness, white and gray surface area,convexity, and curvature at 7T compared to 3T.Conclusions Inconsistency of brain structural attribute between 3T and 7T was confirmed, and researchers should be cautious about data when using ultrahigh field MR system to investigate brain structural changes.

Brain structure in post-traumatic stress disorder A voxel-based morphometry analysis

This study compared the difference in brain structure in 12 mine disaster survivors with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, 7 cases of improved post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and 14 controls who experienced the same mine disaster but did not suffer post-traumatic stress disorder, using the voxel-based morphometry method. The correlation between differences in brain structure and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms was also investigated. Results showed that the gray matter volume was the highest in the trauma control group, followed by the symptoms-improved group, and the lowest in the chronic post-traumatic stress disorder group. Compared with the symptoms-improved group, the gray matter volume in the lingual gyrus of the right occipital lobe was reduced in the chronic post-traumatic stress disorder group. Compared with the trauma control group, the gray matter volume in the right middle occipital gyrus and left middle frontal gyrus was reduced in the symptoms-improved group. Compared with the trauma control group, the gray matter volume in the left superior parietal lo- bule and right superior frontal gyrus was reduced in the chronic post-traumatic stress disorder group. The gray matter volume in the left superior parietal Iobule was significantly positively correlated with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory subscale score in the symptoms-improved group and chronic post-traumatic stress disorder group （r = 0.477, P = 0.039）. Our findings indicate that （1） chronic post-traumatic stress disorder patients have gray matter structural damage in the prefrontal lobe, oc- cipital lobe, and parietal lobe, （2） after post-traumatic stress, the disorder symptoms are improved and gray matter structural damage is reduced, but cannot recover to the trauma-control level, and （3） the superior parietal Iobule is possibly associated with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder patients exhibit gray matter abnormalities.

Morphometry scores: Clinical implications in the management of staghorn calculi

Due to their large size,rapid growth,and attendant morbidity,staghorn calculi are complex clinical entities that impose significant treatment-related challenges.Moreover,their relative heterogeneitydin terms of both total stone burden and anatomic distributiondlimits the ability to standardize their characterization and the reporting of surgical outcomes.Several morphometry systems currently exist to define the volumetric distribution of renal stones,in general,and to predict the outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy;however,they fall short in their applicability to staghorn stones.In this review,we aim to discuss the clinical utility of morphometry systems and the influence of pelvicalyceal anatomy on the management of these complex calculi.

Studies on Twin Micro-Watersheds, Melekote and Rajagatta Dodballapur Taluk, Bangalore Rural District, Karnataka State through Morphometry, Land Formation and Water Quality

The paper discusses assessment of various chemical constituents present in groundwater besides morphology, and land form characteristics of twin micro-watersheds (viz., Melekote and Rajaghatta) Dodballapur Taluk, (Karnataka) coming under semi-arid climatic zone. Farmers who are mainly depending on agricultural yields for their living are disappointed due to vagaries of monsoons and undependable rainfall. This is particularly so in arid and semi-arid regions. These regions suffer from water scarcity, soil degradation, low crop yield, high soil erosion and gradual depletion of soil fertility. All these factors culminate in planning for conservation and storage of water in small watersheds for future needs, i.e., during drought conditions. In many areas, it is observed that the water table levels are declining resulting in problems of increased concentration of solutes and deterioration of groundwater quality. All aspects of hydrological studies are covered in relation to watershed management in order to formulate strategies for sustainable agricultural development. Morphometry, landform and topography play an important role in understanding the hydrological response of any watershed. Quantitative morphometric analysis has been carried out on the watershed along with landform and topographical study.

Breast Morphometry in Senegalese Women:Study on a Sample of 118 Subjects

Nowadays, women are more and more resorting to breast surgery for the purposes of isolated esthetics or within the framework of a mammectomy for tumor with its cohort of psychological problems post mutilation often requiring reconstruction. In context of breast cancer increase in Senegal, we have carried out breast morphology in female subjects of the Sahelian type in order to contribute to the development of a morphological database for reconstruction, reduction or breast augmentation. It was a prospective study on 118 female subjects received at Cancer Institute for screening. They were divided into two groups (age ≤ 40 years and age?> 40 years). Subjects’?morphometric variables were collected in anatomical position and correlated with age, parity, obesity and genital activity using. Fifty six subjects (47.5%) were over 40 years of age. There were 40 multiparous (33.9%). Fifteen subjects (12.7%) and six subjects (5%) were obese and morbidly obese, respectively. Subjects in genital activity were 34 (29%). The overall average size of the areola was 4.3 ± 1.5 cm. The nipple was low located with an average of 7.2 ± 3.5 cm. The diameters mentioned above increased significantly with age and body mass index, for p-values ?0.05, with the exception of the vertical diameter. Breast diameters were greater in postmenopausal women. Morphometry of Sahelian-type women’s breast is strongly influenced by socio-demographic data, hence the need to take it into account during reconstruction, reduction or breast augmentation surgeries in Senegal.

Morphometry and Significance of Collodiaphyseal Angle among Bini Tribe in Southern Nigeria

Introduction:The collodiaphyseal angle(CDA)is an angle formed between the femoral neck and femoral shaft axes.It is a vital determinant of femoral neck fracture as narrower angle is often used as a predictor of stress fracture.It is also important in orthopedic treatment planning,especially hip replacement surgery.Aim:This study was carried out to evaluate the CDA values among the Bini tribe and elucidate its significance.Methodology:This study employed 200 anterior-posterior pelvic radiographs of the Bini tribe(100 males and 100 females)aged between 25 and 55 years obtained from selected radiological diagnostic centers in Benin City,Nigeria,after obtaining the Institutional Ethical Approval.They were used to evaluate the right and left CDA as an angle formed by intersection of the femoral neck and shaft axes and measured using the goniometer.Data were statistically analyzed using IBM-SPSS(version 20)with the mean,standard deviation,and range evaluated,and side and gender comparisons were done using t-test,and P<0.05 was set as statistically significant level.Results:The average CDA was 135.56°±5.75°and 131.67°±6.15°in males and females,respectively.This angle showed significant gender differences bilaterally(P<0.05).However,the bilateral differences in the CDA were not statistically significant among either male or female Binis(P>0.05).Conclusion:The CDA can be employed as a morphometric indicator of sexual differences and for other clinical applications.

A comparative study of the morphometry of sperm head components in cattle, sheep, and pigs with a computer-assisted fluorescence method

The aim of this study was to compare the sperm nuclear and acrosomal morphometry of three species of domestic artiodactyls; cattle （Bos taurus）, sheep （Ovis aries）, and pigs （Sus scrofa）. Semen smears of twenty ejaculates from each species were fixed and labeled with a propidium iodide-Pisum sativum agglutinin （PI/PSA） combination. Digital images of the sperm nucleus, acrosome, and whole sperm head were captured and analyzed. The use of the PI/PSA combination and CASA-Morph fluorescence-based method allowed the capture, morphometric analysis, and differentiation of most sperm nuclei, acrosomes and whole heads, and the assessment of acrosomal integrity with a high precision in the three species studied. For the size of the head and nuclear area, the relationship between the three species may be summarized as bull 〉 ram 〉 boar. However, for the other morphometric parameters （length, width, and perimeter）, there were differences in the relationships between species for sperm nuclei and whole sperm heads. Bull sperm acrosomes were clearly smaller than those in the other species studied and covered a smaller proportion of the sperm head. The acrosomal morphology, small in the bull, large and broad in the sheep, and large, long, and with a pronounced equatorial segment curve in the boar, was species-characteristic. It was concluded that there are clear variations in the size and shape of the sperm head components between the three species studied, the acrosome being the structure showing the most variability, allowing a clear distinction of the spermatozoa of each species.

Computer-assisted sperm morphometry fluorescence-based analysis has potential to determine progeny sex

This study was designed to determine the ability of computer-assisted sperm morphometry analysis （CASA-Morph） with fluorescence to discriminate between spermatozoa carrying different sex chromosomes from the nuclear morphometrics generated and different statistical procedures in the bovine species. The study was divided into two experiments. The first was to study the morphometric differences between X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa （SX and SY, respectively）. Spermatozoa from eight bulls were processed to assess simultaneously the sex chromosome by FISH and sperm morphometry by fluorescence-based CASA-Morph. SX cells were larger than SY cells on average （P 〈 0.001） although with important differences between bulls. A simultaneous evaluation of all the measured features by discriminant analysis revealed that nuclear area and average fluorescence intensity were the variables selected by stepwise discriminant function analysis as the best discriminators between SX and SY. In the second experiment, the sperm nuclear morphometric results from CASA-Morph in nonsexed （mixed SX and SY） and sexed （SX） semen samples from four bulls were compared. FISH allowed a successful classification of spermatozoa according to their sex chromosome content. X-sexed spermatozoa displayed a larger size and fluorescence intensity than nonsexed spermatozoa （P 〈 0.05）. We conclude that the CASA-Morph fluorescence-based method has the potential to find differences between X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa in bovine species although more studies are needed to increase the precision of sex determination by this technique.

Spermiogram and sperm head morphometry assessed by multivariate cluster analysis results during adolescence （12-18 years） and the effect of varicocele

This work evaluates sperm head morphometric characteristics in adolescents from 12 to 18 years of age, and the effect of varicocele. Volunteers between 150 and 224 months of age （mean 191, n = 87）, who had reached oigarche by 12 years old, were recruited in the area of Barranquilla, Colombia. Morphometric analysis of sperm heads was performed with principal component （PC） and discriminant analysis, Combining seminal fluid and sperm parameters provided five PCs： two related to sperm morphometry, one to sperm motility, and two to seminal fluid components. Discriminant analysis on the morphometric results of varicocele and nonvaricocele groups did not provide a useful classification matrix. Of the semen-related PCs, the most explanatory （40%） was related to sperm motility. Two PCs, including sperm head elongation and size, were sufficient to evaluate sperm morphometric characteristics. Most of the morphometric variables were correlated with age, with an increase in size and decrease in the elongation of the sperm head. For head size, the entire sperm population could be divided into two morphometric subpopulations, SP1 and SP2, which did not change during adolescence. In general, for varicocele individuals, SP1 had larger and more elongated sperm heads than SP2, which had smaller and more elongated heads than in nonvaricocele men. In summary, sperm head morphometry assessed by CASA-Morph and multivariate cluster analysis provides a better comprehension of the ejaculate structure and possibly sperm function. Morphometric analysis provides much more information than data obtained from conventional semen analysis.