title: Relationship between zona pellucida-induced acrosome reaction, sperm morphology, sperm-zona pellucida binding, and in vitro fertilization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the possible relationships between sperm morphology, acrosome responsiveness to solubilized human zona pellucida, and sperm-zona binding potential among [1] consecutive andrology referrals and [2] randomly selected in vitro fertilization (IVF) cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective analytical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic training hospital.Randomly selected couples consulting for infertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acrosome reaction response to solubilized human zona pellucida was recorded.
  
  
  METHODS
  We determined the difference in the percentage of sperm that acrosome reacted after exposure to solubilized zona pellucida and spontaneous acrosome reaction. The results were expressed as percentage zona induced acrosome reaction (ZIAR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data were analyzed using correlation coefficients (r) and receiver operator characteristics (ROC curve analyses). The ROC curve analyses indicated ZIAR to be a sensitive indicator for fertilization failure during IVF therapy, with sensitivity and specificity of 81% and 75%, respectively. For andrology referrals, a positive and statistically significant correlation existed between ZIAR data and sperm morphology (r = 0.65) and sperm-zona binding (r = 0.57).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ZIAR results provide further information regarding dysfunctional sperm and can be used as an additional diagnostic test. Our results predicted fertilization failure during IVF treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Hospital, Tygerberg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Hadley S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Bastiaan
authors.forename: Mari Lena
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Windt
authors.forename: Roelof
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Menkveld
authors.forename: Thinus F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Kruger
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oehninger
authors.forename: Daniel R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Franken
mesh_terms: D020101:Acrosome Reaction; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000502:physiology*; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000502:physiology*