Ad. Esterhuizen et al., Clinical importance of a micro-assay for the evaluation of sperm acrosome reaction using homologous zona pellucida, ANDROLOGIA, 33(2), 2001, pp. 87-93
This study aimed to develop an acrosome reaction assay using microvolumes o
f solubilized human zonae pellucidae among 35 couples attending an in vitro
fertilization programme. The sperm morphology of the men was classified as
g-pattern (5-14% normal forms) and/or normal pattern (> 14% normal forms).
All the couples had a history of repeated poor or failed in vitro fertiliz
ation rates from previous attempts. A zona-induced acrosome reaction test w
as performed using homologous 0.25 zona pellucida mul(-1) incubated with sp
ermatozoa to induce the acrosome reaction. Acrosome reactions were measured
with FITC-PSA staining, and expressed as the difference between zona-induc
ed and spontaneous acrosome reaction spermatozoa. The results indicated tha
t microvolumes of solubilized human zona pellucida could successfully be us
ed to determine the acrosome reaction status of spermatozoa. The results we
re compared with in vitro fertilization rates of metaphase II oocytes, and
analysed with the receiver operating characteristics curve. Receiver operat
ing characteristics analyses divided the patients into two groups: i.e. zon
a-induced acrosome reaction < 15% and > 15%. The sensitivity and specificit
y for zona-induced acrosome reaction results versus fertilization were 93%
and 100%, respectively. The correlation coefficient between zona-induced ac
rosome reaction and in vitro fertilization was r=0.94 (P <0.0001). Zona-ind
uced acrosome reaction data can be used as an indictor for fertilization fa
ilure, thus helping clinicians to refine the therapeutic approach for infer
tile couples prior to the onset of the treatment.