Establishment of TEST-yolk buffer enhanced sperm penetration assay limits for fertile males.
TEST-yolk buffer has been shown to enhance sperm penetration of zona-free hamster eggs. Review of sperm penetration assay (SPA) data from a fertile population was undertaken to determine a normal range for SPA with TEST-yolk buffer enhancement. Thirty-eight intrauterine insemination patients and 4 artificial insemination donors who had successfully initiated a pregnancy within 18 months of SPA analysis were examined. All 42 enhanced SPAs demonstrated penetration of greater than 10%, and 37 of these (88%) yielded SPA values of greater than or equal to 20%. Thirty-three percent (14/42) of these individuals achieved 0% penetration in the SPA without TEST-yolk buffer. The SPA performed with the TEST-yolk modification has fewer false negatives than the assay done with the original methodology.
Falk
R M
RM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232.
Silverberg
K M
KM
Fetterolf
P M
PM
Kirchner
F K
FK
Rogers
B J
BJ
D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D002021:Buffers; D006224:Cricetinae; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004530:Egg Yolk; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007315:Insemination, Artificial; D008297:Male; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions; D014325:Tromethamine
D002021:Buffers; D004338:Drug Combinations; D014325:Tromethamine; C027806:TEST mixture