Sperm selection by PD-10 sephadex columns: comparison with SpermPrep filtration and Percoll centrifugation

The efficacy of a disposable, prepacked column (PD-10) containing Sephadex G-25, to select motile spermatozoa, was compared with another column for sperm filtration (SpermPrep) and centrifugation through Percoll gradients. Aliquots of washed sperm suspensions were processed by the three techniques. The number of motile cells and the proportion of total spermatozoa selected was similar for all methods. Recovery of spermatozoa showing optimal movement was 145.9 +/- 30% (mean +/- SEM) with PD-10 columns and 131.9 +/- 32% with Percoll, both significantly higher than SpermPrep (71.9 +/- 11%; P < 0.05). The straight line velocity of motile cells was lower in samples processed by SpermPrep (29.3 +/- 2 microns/S) compared to both PD-10 (34.7 +/- 1 micron/s) and Percoll (34.9 +/- 2 microns/s; P = 0.07). When whole semen was processed, total sperm recovery with PD-10 was 61.7 +/- 8% versus 47.7 +/- 7% with Percoll (P < 0.001). Percoll centrifugation improved the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa more than PD-10. Similar proportions of motile spermatozoa and cells with optimal motility were obtained by both methods. We conclude that PD-10 filtration columns can be used to prepare semen in the laboratory as a practical alternative to other methods.