ADVANCED METHODS FOR EVALUATION OF SPERM QUALITY

Routine semen analysis includes measurements of sperm concentration, m otility, and morphology. In our study, three additional tests were eva luated in relation to fertilization rate in an in vitro fertilization program: the freezing and hypo-osmotic swelling tests that evaluate th e functional integrity and stability of the sperm membrane under extre me osmotic conditions, and migration sedimentation test that isolates high-quality motile sperm cells. The study was performed on semen deli vered by men of couples treated at the In Vitro Fertilization Unit, an d men who served as semen donors (fresh or cryopreserved semen). No co rrelation was found between the sperm fertilization rate, and the decr ease in motility percent following the freezing-thawing process. Thus, the freezing test cannot be used to predict semen fertilization capac ity. The hypoosmotic swelling test was applied on semen given by a sim ilar population of men. While the hypoosmotic swelling test values car ried out with fresh semen was found to have good correlation with fert ilization, no correlation was found when frozen thawed semen was used. Post-migration sedimentation test sperm characteristics, and especial ly the recovery rate of the motile sperm, were significantly better in in vitro fertilization cycles with fertilizations. Both the hypo-osmo tic swelling test and migration sedimentation test can assist in evalu ating semen quality, judged by the fertilization rate in an in vitro f ertilization program.