Effect of acrosome defects and sperm chromatin decondensation on fertility and litter size in the rabbit. Preliminary electron-microscopic study.

Sections of ejaculated spermatozoa from rabbits with known fertility were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Acrosome defects, odd head shapes, the presence of spermatids and the decondensation of sperm nuclei were recorded. The fertility negatively correlated with the number of acrosomal defects, while litter size was negatively related to nuclear decompaction. Sperm nuclear decondensation was present in all ejaculates. Its frequency was correlated with that of spermatids in ejaculates.