Evaluation of sperm motility by laser--Doppler-spectroscopy in an in-vitro fertilization programme

Laser-Doppler-spectroscopy represents a new, fast and reliable technical method for the assessment of several parameters of sperm motility including the percentage of spermatozoa which are motile, and mean spermatozoal velocity. Serial measurements of these parameters in routine andrological work permit standards for four main spermiogram diagnoses to be established. Laser-Doppler-spectroscopy was used to verify alterations in the motility of spermatozoa after capacitation in an in-vitro fertilization programme. An enhancement of 16% for total sperm motility and 36% for mean spermatozoal velocity could be observed. The results of in-vitro fertilization after various spermigram diagnoses, combined with long-term observations of mean spermatozoal velocity, may be considered as another step towards the elucidation of sperm-oocyte interactions. Comparisons between the development of embryos revealed significant differences between normo- and asthenozoospermic men versus oligozoospermic patients.