Ficoll-400 density gradient method as an effective sperm preparation technique for assisted reproductive techniques.
BACKGROUND
Infertility being a burning issue, the male itself contributes about 40% as a cause, as evident by statistical data. However, Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has emerged as a powerful tool in the management of infertility. Sperm preparation techniques govern the selection procedure to separate functional spermatozoa which can then be used in IUI, IVF, and ART and for cryopreservation.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was aimed at evaluation of sperm preparation techniques for reliability, performance and to determine the most effective, feasible and economical technique.


METHODS
The subjects under study includes males with normal proven fertility (n=40) and the males with unexplained infertility (n=40). Four sperm separation techniques, viz., Swim-up, Swim-down, Sucrose and Ficoll-400 density gradient techniques were evaluated for their efficacy in separation of good quality fraction of spermatozoa. Sperm viability, morphology and maturation status of spermatozoa were taken as evaluation parameters following the standard methods (WHO 2010).


METHODS
Data was analyzed using student'st-test and the four selected techniques were compared with the normal semen samples for scoring the efficiency of the techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
Out of the several techniques used, Ficoll-400 was found to be more efficient method for separation of spermatozoa. The percentage of change in each parameter was calculated and taken as the index for recovery of potent sperm from the original sperm. Ficoll-400 density gradient yielded higher percentage of live, mature, morphologically normal spermatozoa in an isolated fraction as compared to other three techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
It was observed that a combination of Ficoll-400 gradient separation with Swim-up technique could give quality spermatozoa which in-turn would directly have an impact on the success of IVF and other ART techniques.
Department of Zoology, Biomedical Technology and Human Genetics, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
Hyacinth N
HN
Highland
Department of Biochemistry, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
A Sharma
AS
Rishika
Department of Zoology, Biomedical Technology and Human Genetics, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
S Shaikh
SS
Almira
IVF Center and Infertility Clinic, Safal Fertility Foundation and Bansal Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
P Bansal
PB
Kanthi
Assisted reproductive technique; Ficoll-400 density gradient; in vitro fertilization; infertility