Human follicular fluid stimulates the motility of washed human sperm

Human follicular fluid (hFF) was collected by laparoscopic oocyte pickup during IVF to evaluate the effect of hFF on human sperm motility with a transmembrane migration method. Freshly ejaculated human sperm were washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and mixed with either PBS or hFF. Amplitude of motility increases were 38% and 72% in washed fertile sperm and washed asthenozoospermic sperm when individual control motility was considered to be 100%. The stimulatory effect of hFF was lost when preheated at 100 degrees C for 30 minutes. hFF collected from mature follicles stimulated sperm motility better than that collected from intermediate or immature follicles. hFF did not stimulate the motility of unwashed sperm in freshly ejaculated human semen. A heat labile factor(s) in hFF may stimulate the motility of washed human sperm. Whether this factor could be used to improve the success rate of IVF and artificial insemination awaits further investigation.