Total acrosin activity correlates with fertility potential after fertilization in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the possible relationship between total acrosin activity in spermatozoa and fertility potential after fertilization in vitro.


METHODS
Total acrosin activity of spermatozoa was measured in 101 in vitro fertilization (IVF) cases by an observer unaware of fertilization and cleavage results.


METHODS
University Hospital is a tertiary referral center offering a government supported In Vitro Fertilization Programme.


METHODS
Participants were couples undergoing IVF.


METHODS
A miniature assay measured total acrosin activity in the semen sample used for IVF.


METHODS
The proportion of mature oocytes fertilized, the proportion of mature oocytes transferred, and fertilization of at least one mature oocyte were considered outcomes with fertility potential.


RESULTS
Total acrosin activity correlated with both the proportion of mature oocytes fertilized and the proportion of mature oocytes that were transferred as cleaving embryos. Total acrosin activity was higher in cycles when one or more mature oocyte fertilized compared with cycles with failed fertilization of all mature oocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
The likelihood ratio for subnormal results indicates that measurement of total acrosin activity is a fair test of the fertilizing capacity of sperm.
Department of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada.
I S
IS
Tummon
A A
AA
Yuzpe
S A
SA
Daniel
A
A
Deutsch
D000176:Acrosin / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005306:Fertilization; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology
D000176:Acrosin