title: The predictability of subnormal penetrating capacity of sperm in cases of unexplained infertility.
abstract: Multivariate discriminant analysis has been used to determine the predictability of sub-normal penetrating capacity in cases of unexplained infertility. The product of this analysis was the identification of 7 discriminating variables, all of which described various aspects of the post-capacitation movement characteristics exhibited by the spermatozoa, omitting all reference to the conventional parameters of semen quality. On the basis of these discriminating variables, 90.9% of samples exhibiting penetration rates within the normal range were correctly predicted to be functionally competent. The same variables correctly identified only 60% of samples with impaired penetrating capacity, indicating that in the remaining 40%, defects are present in the spermatozoa which are not reflected in their motility patterns.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000032:analysis; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013083:Sperm Transport; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions