A new method for the purification of human motile spermatozoa applying density-gradient centrifugation: polysucrose media compared to Percoll media.
OBJECTIVE
A newly developed method for the isolation of human motile spermatozoa using density-gradient centrifugation was compared with the traditionally used Percoll technique.


METHODS
Sperm samples were divided into two equal aliquots, which were purified with either the traditionally performed Percoll technique or a new alternative based on polysucrose/Optiprep media. For each sample the isolation was performed during the same run of the centrifuge.


RESULTS
The average recovery of progressively motile spermatozoa with the polysucrose/Optiprep method was significantly higher (48 +/- 7%) than with the Percoll method (38 +/- 6%) (n = 18). The average percentage of motile spermatozoa and the motility score were similar in the purified preparations.


CONCLUSIONS
The new polysucrose/Optiprep-based density-gradient centrifugation technique for the isolation of motile human spermatozoa is as good as the traditionally used Percoll method and may replace it in connection with assisted reproduction techniques.
Andersen
C Y
CY
Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Juliane Marie Center for Children, Women and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Grinsted
J
J
D002469:Cell Separation; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient / Q000379:methods*; D003102:Colloids; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011205:Povidone / Q000737:chemistry*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D013395:Sucrose / Q000737:chemistry*
D003102:Colloids; D011108:Polymers; C110824:polysucrose-400; D013395:Sucrose; C016039:Percoll; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D011205:Povidone