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Human serum and follicular fluid stimulate hyperactivation of human spermatozoa after preincubation
S Kulin1, B A Bastiaans, H M Hollanders
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Objective:
To test the effects of steroid-containing media such as follicular fluid (FF) and serum and of steroid-free but human protein-rich medium on hyperactivation (HA) of human spermatozoa with and without a preincubation period.
Design:
Analysis of HA using a computer-aided sperm analysis system.
Setting:
Academic hospital and andrologic laboratory.
Patients:
Twenty-six sperm samples were obtained from 26 different IVF patients.
Interventions:
None.
Results:
After a preincubation period of 3 hours, FF and serum enhanced the HA after 1 hour. A human plasma protein-rich solution did not. Without preincubation, no stimulation of HA was observed.
Conclusion:
Steroids may be involved in HA, and a preincubation period may be required for an appropriate FF-induced HA.