title: A comparative study on the diagnostic sensitivity of rodent sperm and embryos in the detection of endotoxin in Earle's balanced salt solution.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The bioassay used by most IVF units to assess culture media is the mouse embryo test. The limitations of this assay are well known. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the in vitro bioassay potential of rodent sperm, in terms of relative sensitivities to endotoxins, and to compare the results with the routine mouse embryo and human sperm tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The greater sensitivity of rodent sperm than of mouse embryos was evident in this study. A further advantage in using the mouse sperm test was the time (4-6 hr) in which endotoxins could be detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This rapid sperm test proved to be inexpensive, convenient, and invaluable for detecting potential sources of cytotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Biology Unit, Garden City Clinic, Brixton, South Africa.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Esterhuizen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bosman
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Botes
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Groenewald
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Giesteira
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Labuschagne
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lindeque
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Rodriques
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: van Rensburg
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: van Schouwenburg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D011247:Pregnancy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D004731:Endotoxins