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Male InfertilityVATESNCT02006446

Relationship Between Sperm Head Vacuoles and Sperm DNA Alterations in Infertile Men

A study testing Sperm Samples in people with Male Infertility, run by University Hospital, Rouen at 2 sites in France.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

In men presenting sperm alterations, the selection of genetically undamaged spermatozoa need to be improved in order to increase the success of assisted reproduction treatments. The aim of this study is to determine whether the presence of sperm head vacuoles is associated with sperm DNA alterations. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Male Infertility
What is being tested?
Sperm Samples
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
200 participants
Where
2 sitesFrance
Study dates
Dec 2013to Jan 2017
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • Men only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • men
  • 18 years old or more
  • affiliated to social security
  • with isolated teratozoospermia or oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia according to the WHO guidelines (2010):
  • sperm concentration < 15 million per ml or sperm number < 39 million per ejaculate
  • progressive motility < 35%
Show all 10Show fewer
  • morphologically normal forms < 50% according to the modified David's classification (Auger et al., 2001
  • mobile spermatozoa selected by density gradient centrifugation > 1 million, in previous spermograms
  • with normal constitutional karyotypes (46, XY)
  • signed an informed consent

Who cannot join

  • with abnormal constitutional karyotypes
  • with a major alteration of sperm parameters, with mobile spermatozoa selected by density gradient centrifugation < 1 million
  • under tutorship or guardianship by court order

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

France2 sites
  • Laboratoire de spermiologie, Hôpital Calmette, CHRU de Lille

    Lille

  • Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction - CECOS - EA 4308, CHU - Hôpitaux de Rouen

    Rouen, 76031

Other trials in France

About this study

Official title: Are Sperm Head Vacuoles Associated With Sperm Nuclear Alterations?

In men presenting sperm alterations, the selection of genetically undamaged spermatozoa need to be improved in order to increase the success of assisted reproduction treatments.

The aim of this study is to determine whether the presence of sperm head vacuoles is associated with sperm DNA alterations.

Read the detailed description

The use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has greatly improved the treatment of severe male infertility, especially for men with oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia (OAT). This in vitro fertilization procedure allows the direct injection of a single spermatozoon into an oocyte. The sperm used for ICSI is selected under a microscope at a 400x magnification. Several studies have reported that de novo chromosomal abnormalities are increased in children born from ICSI , thereby raising the question of the genetic quality of spermatozoa used for ICSI.

A method called MSOME (high magnification Motile Sperm Organelle Morphology Examination), which allows the detailed morphological evaluation of motile spermatozoa in real time and under high magnification (6600x), was developed in 2001. With this technique, fine morphological abnormalities - mainly vacuoles in the head of spermatozoa - were detected. The use of MSOME for the detection of morphologically normal sperm for ICSI gave rise to a technique called IMSI (Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected sperm Injection). Higher pregnancy rates were obtained with IMSI compared to ICSI and sperm head vacuoles were found to negatively affect assisted reproduction success rates and embryo development. The use of IMSI also decreases the risk of sex chromosome aneuploidy in embryos .

Several authors found that the presence of large vacuoles in the sperm head correlates with several nuclear alterations: DNA fragmentation , abnormal chromatin condensation and aneuploidy . However, these studies are controversial and were performed on few spermatozoa. In order to improve the selection of spermatozoa with a normal chromosomal content, it is essential not only to confirm the existence of a relationship between sperm head vacuoles and altered sperm nuclear quality but also to better characterize these alterations.

The main goal of this study is to investigate the correlation between sperm head vacuole areas and sperm aneuploidy rates in men with isolated teratozoospermia or OAT. Vacuole areas will be measured by MSOME and aneuploidy rates by FISH for chromosomes 18, X and Y. Moreover, the correlation between sperm head vacuole areas and other nuclear alterations (DNA fragmentation, abnormal chromatin condensation, telomere abnormalities) will be evaluated. Semen samples from 200 patients recruited over a 2-year period will be collected, stored and analyzed.

This study involves the collection of relevant medical information. The computer website for the patient database is secure and protected by a password. The information will be entered and only be viewed by the investigators. On-site monitoring visits will be conducted throughout the study.

Being tested
Sperm Samples
Keywords
Male infertility, sperm head vacuoles, sperm morphology, aneuploidy, DNA fragmentation, abnormal chromatin condensation, telomere abnormalities
Medical subject headings
Infertility, Male, Aneuploidy

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Sperm SamplesOther

    The study will focus on sperm samples collected via masturbation for routine pre-IVF screening tests, taken from patients with isolated teratozoospermia or oligoasthenozoospermia. The various tests and analyses planned will be carried out on sperm not used for IVF or diagnostic purposes.

Study groups in NCT02006446
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Altered spermogramsExperimentalMen with altered spermograms (isolated teratozoospermia or oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia)
Receives: Other: Sperm Samples

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Correlation coefficient between mean vacuole areas in sperm heads (measured by MSOME) and sperm aneuploidy rates for chromosomes X, Y and 18 (evaluated by FISH)

    Measured: up to 30 months

Secondary outcomes (7)
  1. Total sperm count

    Measured: 1 day

  2. Percentage of mobile spermatozoa

    Measured: 1 day

  3. Percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa

    Measured: 1 day

  4. Mean vacuole area threshold (measured with Receiver Operating Characteristic curves)

    Measured: up to 30 months

  5. Correlation coefficient between vacuole areas and sperm DNA fragmentation (evaluated by TUNEL analysis)

    Measured: up to 30 months

  6. Correlation coefficient between vacuole areas and abnormal chromatin condensation (evaluated by aniline blue staining)

    Measured: up to 30 months

  7. Correlation coefficient between vacuole areas and telomere number, distribution and length (evaluated by quantitative FISH)

    Measured: up to 30 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted10 Dec 2013 (estimated)
  2. Study startDec 2013
  3. Primary completionDec 2016
  4. Study completionJan 2017

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
200 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02006446
Sponsor's protocol ID
2013/005/HP
Acronym
VATES
Status last verified
Jan 2017
First submitted
25 Nov 2013
Last updated
10 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Antinori M, Licata E, Dani G, Cerusico F, Versaci C, d'Angelo D, Antinori S. Intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection: a prospective randomized trial. Reprod Biomed Online. 2008 Jun;16(6):835-41. doi: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)60150-2.

    PubMed 18549694
  • Auger J, Eustache F, Andersen AG, Irvine DS, Jorgensen N, Skakkebaek NE, Suominen J, Toppari J, Vierula M, Jouannet P. Sperm morphological defects related to environment, lifestyle and medical history of 1001 male partners of pregnant women from four European cities. Hum Reprod. 2001 Dec;16(12):2710-7. doi: 10.1093/humrep/16.12.2710.

    PubMed 11726600
  • Bartoov B, Berkovitz A, Eltes F. Selection of spermatozoa with normal nuclei to improve the pregnancy rate with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. N Engl J Med. 2001 Oct 4;345(14):1067-8. doi: 10.1056/NEJM200110043451416. No abstract available.

    PubMed 11586970
  • Bartoov B, Berkovitz A, Eltes F, Kogosovsky A, Yagoda A, Lederman H, Artzi S, Gross M, Barak Y. Pregnancy rates are higher with intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection than with conventional intracytoplasmic injection. Fertil Steril. 2003 Dec;80(6):1413-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2003.05.016.

    PubMed 14667877
  • Boitrelle F, Ferfouri F, Petit JM, Segretain D, Tourain C, Bergere M, Bailly M, Vialard F, Albert M, Selva J. Large human sperm vacuoles observed in motile spermatozoa under high magnification: nuclear thumbprints linked to failure of chromatin condensation. Hum Reprod. 2011 Jul;26(7):1650-8. doi: 10.1093/humrep/der129. Epub 2011 May 2.

    PubMed 21536591
  • Bonduelle M, Van Assche E, Joris H, Keymolen K, Devroey P, Van Steirteghem A, Liebaers I. Prenatal testing in ICSI pregnancies: incidence of chromosomal anomalies in 1586 karyotypes and relation to sperm parameters. Hum Reprod. 2002 Oct;17(10):2600-14. doi: 10.1093/humrep/17.10.2600.

    PubMed 12351536
  • Figueira Rde C, Braga DP, Setti AS, Iaconelli A Jr, Borges E Jr. Morphological nuclear integrity of sperm cells is associated with preimplantation genetic aneuploidy screening cycle outcomes. Fertil Steril. 2011 Mar 1;95(3):990-3. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.11.018. Epub 2010 Dec 4.

    PubMed 21130987
  • Foresta C, Garolla A, Bartoloni L, Bettella A, Ferlin A. Genetic abnormalities among severely oligospermic men who are candidates for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Jan;90(1):152-6. doi: 10.1210/jc.2004-1469. Epub 2004 Oct 27.

    PubMed 15509635
  • Franco JG Jr, Baruffi RL, Mauri AL, Petersen CG, Oliveira JB, Vagnini L. Significance of large nuclear vacuoles in human spermatozoa: implications for ICSI. Reprod Biomed Online. 2008 Jul;17(1):42-5. doi: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)60291-x.

    PubMed 18616888
  • Franco JG Jr, Mauri AL, Petersen CG, Massaro FC, Silva LF, Felipe V, Cavagna M, Pontes A, Baruffi RL, Oliveira JB, Vagnini LD. Large nuclear vacuoles are indicative of abnormal chromatin packaging in human spermatozoa. Int J Androl. 2012 Feb;35(1):46-51. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2011.01154.x. Epub 2011 Apr 28.

    PubMed 21535011
  • Garolla A, Fortini D, Menegazzo M, De Toni L, Nicoletti V, Moretti A, Selice R, Engl B, Foresta C. High-power microscopy for selecting spermatozoa for ICSI by physiological status. Reprod Biomed Online. 2008 Nov;17(5):610-6. doi: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)60307-0.

    PubMed 18983744
  • Hazout A, Dumont-Hassan M, Junca AM, Cohen Bacrie P, Tesarik J. High-magnification ICSI overcomes paternal effect resistant to conventional ICSI. Reprod Biomed Online. 2006 Jan;12(1):19-25. doi: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)60975-3.

    PubMed 16454928
  • Oliveira JB, Massaro FC, Baruffi RL, Mauri AL, Petersen CG, Silva LF, Vagnini LD, Franco JG Jr. Correlation between semen analysis by motile sperm organelle morphology examination and sperm DNA damage. Fertil Steril. 2010 Oct;94(5):1937-40. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.01.042. Epub 2010 Mar 2.

    PubMed 20189558
  • Perdrix A, Travers A, Chelli MH, Escalier D, Do Rego JL, Milazzo JP, Mousset-Simeon N, Mace B, Rives N. Assessment of acrosome and nuclear abnormalities in human spermatozoa with large vacuoles. Hum Reprod. 2011 Jan;26(1):47-58. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deq297. Epub 2010 Nov 18.

    PubMed 21088015
  • Van Steirteghem A, Bonduelle M, Devroey P, Liebaers I. Follow-up of children born after ICSI. Hum Reprod Update. 2002 Mar-Apr;8(2):111-6. doi: 10.1093/humupd/8.2.111.

    PubMed 12099626

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Sperm Samples in people with Male Infertility, run by University Hospital, Rouen at 2 sites in France.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 10 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Correlation coefficient between mean vacuole areas in sperm heads (measured by MSOME) and sperm aneuploidy rates for chromosomes X, Y and 18 (evaluated by FISH) (time frame: up to 30 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02006446, which also lists 18 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Jun 2026.

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