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08:58
Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes
Published on: November 28, 2018
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[SPERM SELECTION TECHNIQUES: VISUAL ASSESSMENT VERSUS THE BINDING POTENTIAL TO HYALURONIC ACID]
Ayellet Tzur-Tseva1, Amir Weiss1,2, Anna Ermoshkin1
1Fertility and In-Vitro Fertilization Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel.
Harefuah
|November 21, 2018
Summary
Hyaluronan (HA)-based sperm selection does not improve fertilization or embryo quality compared to conventional polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) methods in IVF-ICSI. The PVP technique resulted in more embryos with superior morphology, suggesting it is a more practical routine method.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- In Vitro Fertilization
- Sperm Selection
Background:
- Hyaluronic acid (HA) in the oocyte's environment acts as a natural sperm selector.
- Spermatozoa must express HA receptors to fertilize the oocyte.
- This study investigates two sperm selection methods for in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of hyaluronan (HA)-based sperm selection (Sperm Slow) versus polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in IVF-ICSI.
- To correlate sperm selection techniques with fertilization rates and embryo quality.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study randomized couples undergoing IVF-ICSI due to mild male infertility.
- Sperm selection was performed using either a PVP droplet or an HA-containing medium (Sperm Slow).
- Selection criteria focused on motility, morphology, and in the HA group, specific tail-beating patterns.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in fertilization or cleavage rates between the PVP and HA groups.
- The PVP group yielded a higher mean number of embryos.
- Embryos in the PVP group exhibited superior average morphology compared to the HA group.
Conclusions:
- The HA-based sperm selection technique is more expensive and time-consuming.
- Current findings do not support the routine use of HA-based sperm selection over PVP.
- PVP remains a practical and effective method for sperm selection in IVF-ICSI.
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