title: Flow cytometric methods for sperm assessment.
abstract: Flow cytometry allows the assessment of multiple sperm parameters following a diverse number of protocols. Here, we describe three methods for evaluating critical aspects of sperm quality: the double stain SYBR-14 and propidium iodide (PI) for assessing sperm viability; the double stain PNA-FITC (peanut agglutinin-fluorescein isothiocyanate) and PI for assessing acrosomal integrity combined with sperm viability; and JC-1 (5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethyl-benzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide) for assessing mitochondrial membrane potential. These three stains are widely used and can be analyzed with basic flow cytometers.
authors.affiliation: INDEGSAL, University of León, León, Spain.
authors.forename: Vanesa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Robles
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martínez-Pastor
mesh_terms: D000177:Acrosome / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000502:physiology; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*