Method-related estimates of sperm vitality.
Comparison of methods that estimate viability of human spermatozoa by monitoring head membrane permeability revealed that wet preparations (whether using positive or negative phase-contrast microscopy) generated significantly higher percentages of nonviable cells than did air-dried eosin-nigrosin smears. Only with the latter method did the sum of motile (presumed live) and stained (presumed dead) preparations never exceed 100%, making this the method of choice for sperm viability estimates.
Cooper
Trevor G
TG
Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Domagkstrasse 11, D-48129 Münster, Germany. TrevorG.Cooper@ukmuenster.de
Hellenkemper
Barbara
B
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast / Q000379:methods; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods