Penetrating capacity of human spermatozoa cool preserved in electrolyte-free solution.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether human spermatozoa preserved in electrolyte-free (EF) solution at 4 degrees C possess normal penetrating capacity.


METHODS
The acrosomal status of human spermatozoa cool preserved in EF solution was evaluated before preservation and before and after reinitiation by using chlortetracycline staining. The zona-free hamster egg sperm penetration test was performed using spermatozoa cool preserved in EF solution.


RESULTS
The percentages of capacitated and acrosome-reacted spermatozoa cool preserved in EF solution before reinitiation were similar to those of fresh spermatozoa, but they significantly increased after reinitiation. The penetration rate and fertility index of spermatozoa cool preserved in EF solution were comparable to those of fresh spermatozoa (48.3% vs. 50.8% and 1.37 +/- 0.15 vs. 1.29 +/- 0.10, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Human spermatozoa cool preserved in EF solution for one week can possess as much penetrating capacity as fresh spermatozoa.
Quan
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Tokushima, 3-18-15, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan.
Yamano
S
S
Nakagawa
K
K
Irahara
M
M
Kamada
M
M
Aono
T
T
D000177:Acrosome / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006224:Cricetinae; D004573:Electrolytes; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions / Q000737:chemistry*; D012034:Refrigeration; D012662:Semen Preservation; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D004573:Electrolytes; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions