PROGNOSIS FOR SPERM FERTILIZABILITY: ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT VARIABLES IN MEN

• Published in: Archives of andrology 2002, Vol.48 (1), p.73-83
• Main Authors: Check, J. H., Check, M. L., Katsoff, D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acrosome Reaction; Animals; Autoantibodies - immunology; Biochemical Test; Biological and medical sciences; Creatine Kinase - metabolism; DNA - metabolism; Function Tests; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Implantation Disorder; Infertility, Male - physiopathology; Lectins, C-Type; Ligands; Male; Mammalian male genital system; Mannose-Binding Lectins; Morphology. Physiology; Prognosis; Reactive Oxygen Species; Receptors, Cell Surface - metabolism; Spermatozoa - enzymology; Spermatozoa - immunology; Spermatozoa - metabolism; Spermatozoa - physiology; Standard Semen Parameters; Vertebrates: reproduction
• ISSN: 0955-3002; 0148-5016; 1362-3095; 1521-0375
• DOI: 10.1080/014850102753385233

An overview of various sperm tests is presented. The standard semen analysis obtained by most clinicians evaluating infertility usually consists of sperm concentration, percent motility, quality of motility, and sperm morphology. Unfortunately, unless the motile density is extremely low, the count and motility are not good prognosticators of fertility potential. Values above the norm for normal fertile couples unfortunately cannot reliably predict normal fertility potential. It is important to find sperm tests that are easy to perform, are relatively inexpensive, and provide an accurate prognosis. Strict morphology was hoped to be such a tool with initial optimism that it was far superior to standard morphology. Unfortunately, this test also failed to be the ideal inexpensive prognostic test after further evaluation. One test that is inexpensive and highly correlates with fertilizability is the presence of antisperm antibodies since their presence frequently does not alter count, motility, or morphology. This test should be performed as part of the routine semen analysis. Other tests highly correlate with the achievement of pregnancy and are simple and inexpensive to perform, but, interestingly, do not correlate with fertilizability. These include the hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST) and the sperm stress test. Abnormalities in these tests imply a different abnormality of sperm that leads to conception failure and that is the transfer of a toxic factor from the sperm to oocyte to embryo that prevents the embryo from implanting. Certainly, the simple, inexpensive HOST should be performed routinely. Other tests of sperm function, e.g., sperm penetration assay, sperm-zona pellucida binding assay, and acrosome reaction, have their definite place in the evaluation of the infertile male. However, because they are expensive and difficulty to perform they lend themselves to certain specific circumstances but not to routine testing.