HUMAN SPERM MOVEMENT ASSESSED WITH THE HAMILTON-THORN MOTILITY ANALYZER AND IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION

The relationship between sperm movement characteristics obtained by co mputerized analysis and the in vitro fertilization rates of human oocy tes was studied. In 144 consecutive in vitro fertilization treatments a sample of prepared semen was analysed by a Hamilton-Thorn Motility A nalyzer. In addition a visual estimation of sperm count and motility w as made. Significant correlations with the fertilization rate were fou nd for all visual parameters. Of the computerized measurements, the me an velocities of motile spermatozoa and the concentration of motile ce lls were significantly correlated. The average path velocity correlate d best (r = 0.42, P < 0.001). There was no relationship between the pe rcentage of motile sperm showing hyperactivated movement and the ferti lization rate. A forward stepwise logistic regression analysis selecte d the following variables of predictive value for fertilization: avera ge path velocity, male factor infertility as indication for in vitro f ertilization, motility and concentration, as measured by the Hamilton- Thorn analyzer. A logistic regression model to predict the cases with low (< 0.2) or high fertilization rates, included the average path vel ocity as a significant variable and classified the samples with 90% ov erall accuracy. In conclusion: movement characteristics of spermatozoa in culture medium, especially the average path velocity are of progno stic value in prediction of human oocyte fertilization rates.