Comparison of Motility Characteristics and Normal Sperm Morphology of Human Semen Samples Separated by Percoll Density Gradient Centrifugation

Abstract

The aim of this study was twofold: to investigate the ability of Percoll gradient centrifugation (52, 68, 84%) to fractionate semen samples according to motility quality and percentage normal morphology and to determine whether there is an association between sperm motility quality and percentage normal morphology. Sperm motility was evaluated using a Hamilton Thorn analyzer and normal sperm morphology was manually assessed according to the strict criteria (< or = 4, 5-14, and >14%). The majority of motility parameters and the percentage normal morphology were found to be significantly improved in the 84% Percoll fraction. The greatest effect was on the < or = 4% group, shifting the mean normal morphology percentage from 2.6 to 5.2%. Curvilinear velocity (VCL) and average path velocity (VAP) were the only two motility parameters that were significantly associated with the percentage normal morphology. Using a combined VCL, VAP vector the >14% group was found to have a significantly different value as compared to the 5-14 and < or = 4% groups. Percoll (discontinuous) gradient centrifugation can therefore play a significant role in the improvement of semen samples for use in assisted reproduction procedures. The VCL, VAP vector identified may also serve as an additional tool in the prediction of the fertility potential of sperm samples.

The application of computer-assisted semen analysis parameters in semen quality analysis

“…These sperm motion variables , such as PM, VSL, VCL, YAP, and LIN, may serve as prognostic indicators for male infertility . Several researchers have reported the relationship of fertility potential and sperm motility parameters measured with CASA [5][6][7][8]. CASA results of the present study also showed that compared with the control group, VCL, VSL, VAP and BCF in asthenozoospermia group and oligospermia group were significantly decreased, which suggested that the impaired sperm motility may play an important role in male factor infertility .…”

Comparative study of the effects of three semen preparation media on semen analysis, DNA damage and protamine deficiency, and the correlation between DNA integrity and sperm parameters

“…Percoll TM gradient density (Kabi Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) has been used effectively, and has been approved for sperm selection since 1988 [8][9][10][11] owing to its superior selection ability compared with simple washing or swim-up preparations [12][13][14][15]. However, several preparation media that use centrifugation gradients have been studied [8][9][10][11], including Isolate TM , SpermGrad TM , Sil-Select Plus TM , Optiprep TM and PureSperm  . Among them, PureSperm yielded similar sperm parameters to those of Percoll and could be considered a suitable substitute for Percoll, which was abandoned in 1996 owing to toxicity [16].…”

Comparison of Six Density Gradient Media for Selection of Cryopreserved Donor Spermatozoa

“…Percoll gradient density (Kabi Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) has been used extensively for spermatozoa selection. Several studies have proved Percoll's effectiveness (Iizuka et al, 1988; Mathieu et al, 1988; Punjabi et al, 1990; Claassens et al, 1996) and its comparatively better selection compared with simple washing or swim‐up preparation (Berger et al, 1985; McClure et al, 1989; Bongso et al, 1993; Moohan and Lindsay, 1995). Good clinical pregnancy rates were obtained after Percoll migration (Pardo et al, 1988; Sato et al, 1990), higher compared with swim‐up preparation (Guérin et al, 1989).…”