Grey zone score for hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) is not associated with embryo implantation defects.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical significance of the grey zone range (50-59%) of the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) on sperm samples.


METHODS
Clinical and viable pregnancy rates and implantantion rates following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were determined in couples where the male partner scored between 50-59% on the HOST. The data were further evaluated according to the discrepancy between viability and HOST. Finally, the study assigned whether treating sperm with the protein digestive enzyme chymotrypsin had any effect on pregnancy outcome.


RESULTS
Pregnancy and implantation rates were comparable for couples with grey zone HOST scores with the normal IVF rate for the center. Having a large discrepancy between viability and HOST scores had no clinical significance nor did treatment with chymotrypsin.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to HOST scores < 50% where extremely poor implantation rates are noted, grey zone scores have no clinical significance.
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M L
ML
The University of Medicine/Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USA.
Kiefer
D
D
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J H
JH
Wilson
C
C
Katsoff
D
D
D000328:Adult; D002918:Chymotrypsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000187:drug effects
D002918:Chymotrypsin