VARIATION IN RECOVERY OF MOTILE SPERM AFTER PREPARATION BY A SIMPLE PERCOLL GRADIENT TECHNIQUE

Purpose: Numerous techniques have been used to prepare sperm for assis ted reproduction technology, Density-gradient centrifugation with Perc oll is becoming a method of choice. This study reviewed the results of a simple two-layer discontinuous Percoll gradient. Methods: We review ed retrospectively results obtained from 208 semen specimens prepared for in vitro fertilization by a discontinuous Percoll gradient. Result s: Overall results (mean +/- SD) were a recovery of 21 +/- 16% of tota l sperm, recovery of 38 +/- 30% of motile sperm, and a motility in the final sperm preparation of 88 +/- 10%. Specimens with higher initial concentrations had higher motilities in the final preparation. Higher total recovery and higher motility in the final preparation were found for specimens with a higher initial motility. Conclusions: This simpl e two-layer Percoll technique is rapid and inexpensive and reliably pr oduces a final sperm preparation with desirable characteristics. Even though specimens with poor initial parameters yielded final preparatio ns with excellent characteristics, fertilization rates were still rela ted to the initial semen parameters.