Comparison of two techniques used to collect normal and motile sperm

To improve the quality of sperm for intra-uterine insemination (IUI) or in-vitro fertilization (IVF) swim-up (SU) and migration-sedimentation (MS) methods were compared, for the selection of morphologically normal and motile sperm. In 74 patients consulting for couple infertility, it was shown that MS gave a better yield of motile sperm than did SU. An improvement in morphology and motility was achieved, especially in asthenospermia (motility less than 40%) and/or teratospermia (normal shape less than 40%). The percentage of midpiece and tail abnormalities was lowered by the MS technique. It is proposed that the MS method be used for IUI and IVF, adapting the number of tubes to the initial sperm concentration.