Fluorescent in situ hybridization evaluation of human Y-bearing spermatozoa separated by albumin density gradients.
OBJECTIVE
Fluorescent in situ hybridization of decondensed sperm nuclei was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Ericsson albumin gradient enrichment technique of Y-bearing sperm.


METHODS
Mature human spermatozoa were separated from donor- and randomly selected patient semen using three different albumin density layers. Sperm nuclei, in the albumin layer with highest density, were decondensed and the percentage Y-bearing sperm was determined by fluorescent in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
A slight, although statistically significant, increase in percentage Y-bearing sperm was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Although statistically significant, the clinical relevance of the small increase in Y-bearing sperm remains uncertain. A randomized controlled clinical study should help to clarify the above laboratory results.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, Republic of South Africa.
O E
OE
Claassens
C J
CJ
Oosthuizen
J
J
Brusnicky
D R
DR
Franken
T F
TF
Kruger
D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D012709:Serum Albumin; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014998:Y Chromosome
D012709:Serum Albumin