Using quantitative interference phase microscopy for sperm acrosome evaluation (Conference Presentation)

We demonstrate quantitative assessment of sperm cell morphology, primarily acrosomal volume, using quantitative interference phase microscopy (IPM). Normally, the area of the acrosome is assessed using dyes that stain the acrosomal part of the cell. We have imaged fixed individual sperm cells using IPM. Following, the sample was stained and the same cells were imaged using bright field microscopy (BFM). We identified the acrosome using the stained BFM image, and used it to define a quantitative corresponding area in the IPM image and determine a quantitative threshold for evaluating the volume of the acrosome.