Artificial insemination homologous with oligospermic semen separated on albumin columns

Semen samples obtained from 27 infertile men were separated on human serum albumin (HSA) columns prior to artificial homologous insemination (AIH). The columns contained either a single 7.5% HSA layer or two 17.5% and 7.5% HSA layers. Separated specimens were free of seminal debris, had significantly improved motility and progressive drive, and had a decreased percentage of abnormal forms. The total sperm count was also significantly decreased after separation, especially with the two-layer technique. No conceptions occurred in 21 couples when two-layer separation was used, but four pregnancies in 12 couples resulted from AIH with semen separated on the single-layer column. The mean total count of motile sperm obtained for AIH was 5 million with the two-layer and 31 million with the one-layer technique.