Abnormal sperm-mucus penetration test predicts low in vitro fertilization ability of apparently normal semen.

Objective: To investigate whether Kremer's sperm-mucus penetration test may predict sperm fertilizing ability in IVF.

Design: Kremer's test was prospectively performed on semen samples used for 66 consecutive IVF trials and compared with the fertilization rates and fertilization failure rates observed.

Results: Fertilization rates were significantly reduced in cases of abnormal Kremer's test (42% versus 51%; n = 745 oocytes with a statistically insignificant increase in fertilization failure rates (21% versus 10%; n = 66 trials).

[Current program of in-vitro fertilization at the Erasmus Hospital: initial results and original ethical aspects].

The clinical results including all in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles with oocyte pick-up in 1990 are presented. Different types of treatment including classical IVF and embryo transfer, laparoscopic replacement of zygotes in the fallopian tube (ZIFT), IVF with donor sperm (IVF-D), cross fertilization test, embryo freezing, oocyte donation and IVF with epididymal sperm were performed. The total pregnancy rate obtained reaches 38% per oocyte pick-up, 30% of clinical pregnancies (including 4 pregnancies obtained with frozen and thawed embryos).