Detailed cell-level analysis of sperm nuclear quality among the different hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) classes.

Purpose: We studied the quality differences between the different hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) classes, as measured by criteria of DNA fragmentation, DNA decondensation, and nuclear architecture. The aim was to find particular HOST classes associated with good-quality metrics, which may be potentially used in ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection).

Methods: Ten patients from the Department of Reproductive Medicine at Tenon Hospital (Paris, France) were included.