THE EFFECTS OF FOLLICULAR-FLUID ON SPERM FUNCTION IN FERTILE AND INFERTILE PATIENTS

Sperm hyperactivation represents an easily demonstrable step in sperm capacitation, which is an essential prerequisite to fertilisation. Fol licular fluid is known to cause hyperactivation in vitro. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of adding follicular fluid to s perm culture media on sperm function in sperm from known fertile donor s, unexplained infertility patients and male factor infertility patien ts. The addition of follicular fluid enhanced and prolonged sperm moti lity, as well as increasing hyperactivation, in all groups. In both th e subfertile groups, the addition of follicular fluid also led to impr oved forward progression and increased cervical mucus penetration. The se findings indicate that the addition of follicular fluid may improve sperm function in subfertile couples, and that there may be a hidden male factor component in couples with unexplained infertility.