Association between hypo-osmotic swelling test-induced tail swelling patterns and sperm quality

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Andrology
• Spermatozoa Functionality

Background:

• Current intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) sperm selection methods have limitations in identifying sperm abnormalities.
• The hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) assesses sperm membrane integrity and function.
• Investigating HOST-induced tail swelling patterns may offer a better predictor of sperm quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the predictive value of sperm tail swelling patterns during the HOST for sperm quality.
• To correlate specific HOST grades with key sperm parameters including motility, morphology, and nuclear quality.

Main Methods:

• Collected 60 semen samples from men undergoing infertility investigations.
• Assessed sperm parameters, performed HOST, and evaluated sperm chromatin status for each sample.
• Analyzed the relationship between HOST-induced tail swelling patterns (grades 'a' to 'g') and sperm quality metrics.

Main Results:

• HOST demonstrated significant correlation with improved sperm motility, vitality, morphology, and nuclear quality.
• HOST grades 'b' and 'c' were significantly associated with enhanced motility and morphology.
• HOST grade 'd' showed a significant association with better sperm motility and count.

Conclusions:

• Sperm tail swelling patterns observed during HOST are indicative of sperm functional integrity.
• HOST grades 'b' and 'd' are linked to superior sperm quality.
• These specific HOST grades may be preferentially utilized in routine sperm selection for ICSI procedures.