Ultrastructurally normal and motile spermatozoa in a fertile man with Kartagener's syndrome.

Abstract

The findings in a 40-year-old man with Kartagener's triad (sinusitis, bronchiectasis, and situs inversus) and corrected transposition of the great vessels are presented. Electron microscopy revealed normal ultrastructure of the axoneme in both respiratory cilia and sperm tails. Light microscopic evaluation of the spermatozoa showed 50 percent motility, suggesting normal fertility. This assumption is confirmed, as the patient has two children. We suggest that an abnormal, uncoordinated motility pattern of the ultrastructurally normal respiratory cilia results in improper mucociliary clearance. This coordination is not needed in swimming spermatozoa, which could explain the apparent paradox between bronchopulmonary symptoms and normal fertility in our patient.