Variation in recovery of motile sperm after preparation by a simple Percoll gradient technique.
OBJECTIVE
Numerous techniques have been used to prepare sperm for assisted reproduction technology. Density-gradient centrifugation with Percoll is becoming a method of choice. This study reviewed the results of a simple two-layer discontinuous Percoll gradient.


METHODS
We reviewed retrospectively results obtained from 208 semen specimens prepared for in vitro fertilization by a discontinuous Percoll gradient.


RESULTS
Overall results (mean +/- SD) were a recovery of 21 +/- 16% of total sperm, recovery of 38 +/- 30% of motile sperm, and a motility in the final sperm preparation of 88 +/- 10%. Specimens with higher initial concentrations had higher motility in the final preparation. Higher total recovery and higher motility in the final preparation were found for specimens with a higher initial motility.


CONCLUSIONS
This simple two-layer Percoll technique is rapid and inexpensive and reliably produces a final sperm preparation with desirable characteristics. Even though specimens with poor initial parameters yielded final preparations with excellent characteristics, fertilization rates were still related to the initial semen parameters.
Miller
K F
KF
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, USA.
Falcone
T
T
Goldberg
J M
JM
D002470:Cell Survival; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient / Q000379:methods*; D005306:Fertilization; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011205:Povidone / Q000378:metabolism; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*
C016039:Percoll; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D011205:Povidone