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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation
Published on: November 29, 2018
Buoyant density and sedimentation dynamics of HIV-1 in two density-gradient media for semen processing
Naoaki Kuji1, Tsuyoshi Yoshii, Toshio Hamatani
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. naoaki@sc.itc.keio.ac.jp
Objective:
To compare buoyant density and sedimentation kinetics of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) in two sperm-washing media, Percoll and Pureception.
Design:
Laboratory study.
Setting:
University hospital.
Patient(S):
None.
Intervention(S):
Buoyant density and sedimentation kinetics of HIV-1 particles (MOLT-4/LAI strain) were measured in Percoll and Pureception using isopyknic ultracentrifugation and continuous-density-gradient centrifugation.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
The HIV-1 particles were detected and semiquantified using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for HIV-1 RNA.
Result(S):
Calculated buoyant density of HIV-1 was approximately 1.042 in both media in isopyknic centrifugation. However, most HIV-1 particles were found in fractions with specific gravity less than 1.04 in both media, even after 40 minutes of density-gradient centrifugation at 1,600 g. Small viral accumulations were observed at the bottom of the tube in Pureception density gradients.
Conclusion(S):
Although we found very high efficiency of HIV-1 removal using density-gradient centrifugation, a minute quantity of virus was found at the bottom of the gradient tube when Pureception was used as the medium.
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