title: Effect of limited proteolysis with alpha-chymotrypsin on semen with an abnormal sperm penetration assay and possible application for in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to assess the impact of limited proteolysis with alpha-chymotrypsin on the sperm penetration assay (SPA) of infertile patients and to identify a group whose results would normalize with this pretreatment. Further, the application of this treatment to semen of these patients during in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) was reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three groups were identified. In one, SPA was abnormal and improved to normal with pretreatment; in the second, SPA was abnormal and did not normalize; and in the third, SPA was normal and improved significantly (included in this group are three known fertile controls).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chymotrypsin pretreatment and repeat SPA are advocated for patients with abnormal SPA. If normalization occurs, pretreatment of semen for IVF or IUI is a therapy to be considered.
authors.affiliation: ART Program at Birmingham, Alabama 35209.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Honea
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Houserman
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Merryman
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Free
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Stringfellow
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay; D002918:Chymotrypsin; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007315:Insemination, Artificial; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002918:Chymotrypsin