Mrz. Rashid et al., THE PREDICTIVE VALUE OF THE ZONA-FREE HAMSTER EGG PENETRATION TEST INRELATION TO IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION AT VARIOUS INSEMINATION CONCENTRATIONS, Human reproduction, 13(3), 1998, pp. 624-629
The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of the zona-
free hamster egg penetration test (ZHEPT) for success in in-vitro fert
ilization (IVF) at various insemination concentrations ranging between
0.1 and >0.6 x 10(6)/ml. The ZHEPT was assessed using sperm samples f
rom 87 couples undergoing IVF treatment. A similar test was simultaneo
usly performed on the same semen sample following ionophore induction
of the acrosome reaction (ZHEPTii test). Both the tests were poorly co
rrelated with the fertilization rate of IVF at all the insemination co
ncentrations except at >0.6x 10(6)/ml, when there was good correlation
between the ZHEPTii test and the fertilization rate. Following exclus
ion of two cases with an oocyte problem, further statistical analysis
revealed that both the ZHEPT and ZHEPTii tests were poorly correlated
with fertilization rate in TVF in this treatment group. This study sug
gests that the ZHEPT (with and without ionophore induction of the acro
some reaction) has a poor predictive value for the success of fertiliz
ation in IVF treatment at any insemination concentration.