[New methods for predicting sperm fertilizing ability]

Abstract

There is no reliable method for screening for the fertilizing ability of sperm. 3 new methods are presented: the freezing test (FT), hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST) and migration-sedimentation test (MST). The first 2, test the functional integrity and stability of the sperm membrane under certain osmotic conditions. The MST determines ability to separate high quality sperm. All tests were performed using either fresh semen of husbands, or thawed semen of donors used for fertilization in the IVF unit. Results of the FT were not correlated with the fertilizing ability of sperm in IVF, but HOST results with fresh, but not thawed semen, were correlated. Fertilization of oocytes in IVF was significantly better when HOST value of fresh semen was 45% or more. Motility and morphological normality of sperm separated by MST were better in ejaculates that fertilized ova under in vitro conditions, than in those that did not. Sperm separation by MST of 25% or more of motile sperm, or of more than 1.5 million motile sperm in the sample, indicated statistically significant ability for oocyte fertilization in an IVF system.