傳統認為精蟲頭部之空泡對精蟲品質DNA或染色體異常有關
本篇質疑此觀點，認為精蟲是否有空泡並不明顯影響活產率

高齡男性施行IVF後比年輕男性之流產率偏高

Reprod Biomed Online. 2016 Feb;32(2):154-61. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.10.009. Epub 2015 Nov 10.

Vacuoles in sperm head are not associated with head morphology, DNA damage and reproductive success.

Fortunato A1, Boni R2, Leo R1, Nacchia G1, Liguori F1, Casale S1, Bonassisa P1, Tosti E3.

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Abstract

In this retrospective study of 873 men enrolled for assisted reproduction techniques, relationships between sperm quality parameters, motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME), DNA damage and live birth rate were evaluated. The presence of vacuoles in the sperm heads was detected by MSOME. Either chromatin decondensation or DNA fragmentation was used to study DNA damage. Results show that age significantly affected some of the examined parameters. In particular, sperm concentration was positively correlated (R = 0.088; P = 0.01) and chromatin decondensation was negatively correlated (R = -0.102; P = 0.003) with age. Furthermore, live birth rate was significantly lower in men aged 40 years or older (P < 0.02) compared with the younger age groups. The presence of sperm head vacuoles was not associated with head morphology, main sperm quality parameters, DNA fragmentation and live birth rate. Considering sperm heads in relation to the shape (normal/abnormal) and vacuoles (presence/absence), no significant variations in the occurrence of vacuoles in either normal or abnormal heads were found. These data suggest that vacuoles are physiological features that do not alter sperm functionality, and it seems that MSOME is not necessary for increasing the success of assisted reproduction techniques.