Comparison between a swim-up and a Percoll gradient technique for the separation of human spermatozoa.
Two methods of separating human sperm were compared using twenty-two semen samples. The sperm were separated by a swim-up technique or by self-migration on a Percoll gradient followed by medium change. After separation, the sperm obtained were assessed for progressive motility, ATP content, energy charge index ([ATP + 0.5 ADP]/[ATP + ADP + AMP]) and morphology. In general, and especially for semen samples containing less than 20 X 10(6) sperm/ml, separation by Percoll gradient selected sperm that were superior to those separated by the swim-up technique. The relatively high energy charge index (greater than 0.8) showed that the sperm tolerated the separation conditions well. It is suggested that self-migration on a Percoll gradient should prove useful for obtaining sperm of high quality.
Akerlöf
E
E
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
Fredricson
B
B
Gustafsson
O
O
Lundin
A
A
Lunell
N O
NO
Nylund
L
L
Rosenborg
L
L
Pousette
A
A
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000032:analysis; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000032:analysis*
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate