Abnormal spermatozoa in the ejaculate: abortive apoptosis and faulty nuclear remodelling during spermatogenesis.

The mechanisms responsible for producing abnormal spermatozoa in the ejaculate are relatively unknown. Numerous studies have now shown the presence of nuclear DNA strand breaks in human ejaculated spermatozoa and the abnormal persistence of apoptotic marker proteins. The reason why human spermatozoa, in particular from men with abnormal semen parameters, possess these abnormalities is still not clear. Two processes that have been linked to the presence of nuclear DNA strand breaks in spermatozoa are anomalies in apoptosis during spermatogenesis or problems in the replacement of histones with protamines during spermiogenesis. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for producing abnormal spermatozoa in the human will improve knowledge about certain causes of male infertility.