THE PREDICTIVE VALUE OF THE ZONA-FREE HAMSTER EGG PENETRATION TEST INRELATION TO IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION AT VARIOUS INSEMINATION CONCENTRATIONS

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.