Effects of Percoll Discontinuous Density Gradients vs Spermprep II vs Sephadex G-50 Gel Infiltration on Semen Parameters

Abstract

There are various methods ofseparating sperm fiom seminal plasma for subsequent intrauterine insemination. Some of these same techniques have been employed for female sex selection. The purpose of the present study was to assess and compare semen parameters following Sephadex, Percoll, and SpermPrepTMII separation techniques. The SpermPrepTMII is also a Sephadex preparation but uses adifferent bead size, less Sephadex, and is a slightly quicker method. The specimens (n = 16) were initially evaluated for count, (C; xI06/rnL), percent motility (MO), grade of motility (GR; percent) and hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test scores. Each specimen was then divided into three equal aliquots and prepared as follows: (1) layered onto a modified Percoll discontinuous density gradient column; (2) processed using SpermPrepTMII; and (3) filtered throughaSephadexgel filtration column ((3-50). The resultsshow all three treatments yieldedlower (P < 0.01) counts as compared to control values, but no differences were noted among them. Percoll SpermPrepTMII increasedMO(P<O.Oi) whereas Sephadexreduced it(P=NS). Percoll and SpermPrepTMII ipmproved the percentageofbetter quality sperm but not Sephadex; SpermPrepTMII was slightly higherthan Percoll, but the difference was not significant. There were increases (P < 0.05) in HOS values in all experimental treatments, with SpermPrepTMII having the highest scores. However, this study did not show as many males with HOS scores below 50% as noted in other studies. Percoll and SpermPrepTMII seem to be equally effective methods for producing high-quality sperm for intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization.

Tests de Selection des Spermatozoïdes avant Assistance Médicale à la Procréation

“…De plus, la centrifugation par ellem~me a des effets n~fastes particuli~rement nets h partir de 600 g [7,40,44,54]. [18,70,80]. Une r6serve doit cependant 8tre 6raise pour l'usage en clinique en raison du r61e d6Mt6re observ6 sur la f6condation in vitro et le d6veloppement des embryons de souris incub6s dans le milieu recueilli apr6s rin~age de la colonne de filtration [67]; d'autre part, un effet n6gatif sur la mobilit6 des spermatozoides 6tait observ6.…”