Alpha-glycosidase activity in seminal plasma: predictive value for outcome in intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that alpha-glycosidase activity in seminal plasma can predict the outcome of both IUI and IVF.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
Tertiary fertility center in a university hospital.


METHODS
Eighty-three subfertile couples who underwent IUI and 125 subfertile couples who underwent IVF.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Determination of the alpha-glycosidase activity in seminal plasma before an IUI or IVF attempt, correlation of alpha-glycosidase activity and other semen parameters, and prediction of pregnancy using alpha-glycosidase activity in seminal plasma.


RESULTS
Alpha-glycosidase activity correlated with sperm count. In the IUI group, alpha-glycosidase activity of >23.9 mU/mL predicted pregnancy with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 55.2%. In the IVF group, the outcome could not be predicted with use of any of the semen parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Alpha-glycosidase activity measured in mU/mL probably can be used as a predictor for IVF and pregnancy in an IUI program but has no predictive value with regard to pregnancy rate in an IVF program.
Spiessens
C
C
Leuven University Fertility Centre, University Hospital Leuven, Belgium. CARL.SPIESSENS@UZ.KULEUVEN.AC.BE
D'Hooghe
T
T
Wouters
E
E
Meuleman
C
C
Vanderschueren
D
D
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000201:enzymology*; D007315:Insemination, Artificial; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*
D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases