Sperm nuclear texture assessment: a fertility prediction tool Introduction Sperm nuclear morphometry quantifies properties of the nucleus and allows comparison between semen

Sperm nuclear morphometry quantifies properties of the nucleus and allows comparison between semen samples. Chromatin packaging is one of the properties reflected by nuclear measures, and has been related to fertility as correct packaging is essential for not only fertilization but also successful early embryonic development. One such morphometric measure is texture. Nuclear texture is thought to reflect the structure of the chromatin within sperm and the degree and pattern of packaging, properties vital to successful fertilization and proper embryonic development. Aberrations in sperm chromatin packaging have been linked to failure in the fertilizing ability of semen samples (Engh et al., 1993; Evenson et al., 2002; Filatov et al., 1999; Ostermeier, 2000; Sailer et al., 1996).