Establishment of TEST-yolk buffer enhanced sperm penetration assay limits for fertile males

TEST-yolk buffer has been shown to enhance sperm penetration of zona-free hamster eggs. Review of sperm penetration assay (SPA) data from a fertile population was undertaken to determine a normal range for SPA with TEST-yolk buffer enhancement. Thirty-eight intrauterine insemination patients and 4 artificial insemination donors who had successfully initiated a pregnancy within 18 months of SPA analysis were examined. All 42 enhanced SPAs demonstrated penetration of greater than 10%, and 37 of these (88%) yielded SPA values of greater than or equal to 20%. Thirty-three percent (14/42) of these individuals achieved 0% penetration in the SPA without TEST-yolk buffer. The SPA performed with the TEST-yolk modification has fewer false negatives than the assay done with the original methodology.