Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects
Published on: April 21, 2022
Low hypoosmotic swelling test scores correlate better with lower percent motility than any other abnormal semen
J H Check1, D Kramer, W Hourani
1The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Camden, NJ, USA. laurie@ccivf.com
Purpose:
To determine if any single abnormal semen parameter is associated with low hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test scores.
Methods:
A retrospective review evaluating males with single sperm defects of sperm concentration, % progressive motility, morphology using strict criteria, and antisperm antibodies. The percentage of these males with HOS test scores < 50% was then determined.
Results:
By far the abnormal semen parameter most associated with a subnormal HOS test was poor motility.
Conclusions:
Though we believe that the simple inexpensive HOS test should be performed routinely when performing semen analysis, it is especially important to evaluate in males with poor motility since simple intrauterine insemination will not allow pregnancies.
