EFFECTS OF PERCOLL DISCONTINUOUS DENSITY GRADIENTS VS SPERMPREP (TM)II VS SEPHADEX G-50 GEL-FILTRATION ON SEMEN PARAMETERS

There are various methods of separating sperm from seminal plasma for subsequent intrauterine insemination (IUI) and for in vitro fertilizat ion (IVF). The purpose of the present study was to assess and compare semen parameters following Sephadex, Percoll and SpermPrep(TM)II separ ation techniques. The SpermPrep(TM) II is also a Sephadex preparation but uses a different bead size, less Sephadex and is a quicker method. The specimens (n = 16) were initially evaluated for count, (C; X 10(6 )/ml) % motility (MO), grade of motility (GR; %), and HOS test scores. Each specimen was then divided into 3 equal aliquots and prepared as follows: 1) layered onto a modified Percoll discontinuous density grad ient column; 2) processed using SpermPrep(TM)II; and 3) filtered throu gh a Sephadex gel filtration column (G-50). The results show all 3 tre atments yielded lower (p<0.01) counts as compared to control values bu t no differences were noted among them. Percoll and SpermPrep(TM)II in creased MO (p < 0.01) where Sephadex reduced it (p = NS). Percoll and SpermPrep(TM)II improved the % of best quality sperm but not Sephadex with SpermPrep(TM)II being higher than Percoll. There were increases ( p < 0.05) in HOS values in all experimental treatments with Spermprep( TM)II being the best. However, this study did not show as many males w ith HOS scores below 50% as noted in other studies. Finally, Percoll a nd Spermprep(TM)II seem equally effective methods for producing high q uality sperm for IUI or IVF although SpermPrep(TM)II is quite faster.