title: Penetration of hamster oocytes by human sperm in an in vitro fertilization microchamber after insemination with unprocessed semen.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if unprocessed human spermatozoa could capacitate in an IVF microchamber.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen was loaded into an IVF microchamber with zona-free hamster oocytes, and a hamster penetration test was performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical School basic research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men who provided sperm for other laboratory tests.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Penetration of zona-free hamster oocytes by human sperm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 12 of 19 sperm samples, hamster egg penetration was detected. In most negative cases other measures of sperm function suggested that the SPA might be compromised.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Positive hamster oocyte penetration after loading of unprocessed semen into an IVF microchamber indicates that the chamber supports sperm capacitation. Use of such microchambers thus might reduce or eliminate many steps in sperm processing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions