Sperm function tests in clinical practice

Abstract

Conventional semen analysis solely is not completely adequate to predict pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, advanced sperm function tests have been developed and introduced to clinical practice. These tests use different methods and techniques to evaluate different stages of fertilization steps. In this review, we reported some commonly used sperm function tests: sperm penetration assay, sperm-zona pellucida binding test (hemizona assay), acrosomal reaction test, hyaluronan binding test, hypo-osmotic swelling test, magneticactivated cell sorting and zeta sperm selection. We discussed the literature concerning these tests, the utilization techniques and also purpose and mechanism of each test. We emphasized the importance of sperm function tests in predicting in vitro fertilization and pregnancy outcomes and in the management of infertile couples and also the limitations of these tests. Along with improvements in molecular biology techniques, we believe that more applicative and beneficial tests will be developed in the near future.

Diagnostic value of advanced semen analysis in evaluation of male infertility

“…These aspects are crucial for the success of the fertilisation (Hamada et al, 2011;Oehninger et al, 2014). Also, sperm function tests could indicate an appropriate therapy to overcome the fertility problems (Kızılay & Altay, 2017).…”

“…In order to investigate acrosomal functionality, a baseline and an induced AR are determined ( Figure 1; Kızılay & Altay, 2017;Zeginiadou, Papadimas, & Mantalenakis, 2000). AR testing assesses the percentage of spermatozoa that spontaneously release their acrosomal content as well as the percentage of spermatozoa that are acrosome-reacted after an induction of AR in vitro (Snow-Lisy & Sabanegh, 2013).…”

Round cells do not contaminate or mask human sperm proteome in proteomic studies using cryopreserved samples

“…Conventional sperm processing techniques such as density gradient and swim‐up can be used to remove the round cells, debris and leucocytes from semen samples (Agarwal & Selvam, ; Beydola, Sharma, Lee, & Agarwal, ). However, most of the sperm tests are performed on neat semen samples, including advanced sperm function tests to assess sperm DNA fragmentation, oxidative stress and sperm fertilising ability (Agarwal & Said, ; Kızılay & Atlay, ; Majzoub, Esteves, Gosálvez, & Agarwal, ). Moreover, cryopreservation (slow freezing) of spermatozoa, a widely used technique for sperm banking, also uses neat semen samples.…”

<b>Caracterização das subpopulações e atributos espermáticos como método preditivo de desempenho na produção <i>in vitro</i> de embriões em bovinos</b>

“…Diversas são as metodologias existentes para se atestar a funcionalidade espermática, que se relacionam a habilidade fecundante dos espermatozoides e, assim, podem servir de ferramenta para a predição de fertilidade in vivo e in vitro (GRAHAM;HOUGH, 1987;AITKEN, 2006;LOSANO et al, 2015;KıZıLAY;ALTAY, 2017). Dentre elas destacam-se os testes de: ligação espermática em zona pelúcida ou hemizona, penetração espermática em zona pelúcida e penetração espermática em oócito livre de zona pelúcida (AITKEN, 2006;KıZıLAY;ALTAY, 2017).…”

“…Os testes funcionais, como o teste de ligação em zona pelúcida homóloga e heteróloga ou em hemizona e teste de penetração são considerados como indicativos do potencial de fertilidade tanto in vivo (ZHANG et al, 1998;ZHANG et al, 1999) quanto in vitro (LIU; GARRETT;BAKER, 2003;KATHIRAVAN et al, 2008;PUGLISI et al, 2012;KıZıLAY;ALTAY, 2017). Porém, não foram encontradas diferenças entre os grupos BC e AC e entre BB e AB, no número de espermatozoides ligados pelo teste de ligação em membrana perivitelínica de ovo de galinha (Tabelas 8 e 16).…”