Sperm motility improvement: comparison of two methodologies of reproductive techniques

The objective of this study was to compare two methods for the extraction of high motility sperm; washed semen and swim-up techniques, on 172 ejaculates from 53 patients with suspected infertility. High quality motile sperm had been essential for the success of the assisted reproductive procedures, in which these patients were enrolled. Semen analyses were performed according to the criteria recommended by the WHO. In both methods Ham's F-10 medium plus 7.5% human cord serum were used. The incubations were carried out at 37 degrees C +/- 1. The percentage of motile spermatozoa with forward progression was measured in the fresh sample and after incubation with both methods. The results were analyzed by the two-way analysis of variance. Motility rates were significantly higher in swim-up than fresh samples (mean 41.158%, SD 20.1 vs. 27.572%, SD 16.6; p < 0.0001) and washed semen compared with fresh sample (mean 36.966%, SD 16.3 vs. 27.572% SD 16.6; p < 0.0001).