The hypo-osmotic swelling test: Is it a sperm vitality or a viability assay?

The first two editions of the World Health Organization laboratory manual described the determination of live spermatozoa by a dye exclusion method as a sperm "viability" test, whereas subsequent editions classified it as a "vitality" test, without providing an explanation for the reclassification. Additionally, the hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test, which assesses the functional integrity of the human sperm membrane, was placed in the same category as the dye exclusion test. Although the two terms might seem synonymous, the term "vitality" merely means "alive," whereas "viability" assesses qualities or physiological functions of a living entity.

Individual variation of the percentage of Y-chromosome bearing sperm content in human ejaculates.

The study aimed to determine the variation of Y-chromosome-bearing sperm content among individual ejaculates. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with unique primers was developed and used to calculate the percentage of Y-chromosome-bearing sperm in individual ejaculates from 50 randomly selected men. There was a significant difference in the overall mean ± SD between the proportion of Y-chromosome-bearing sperm and X-chromosome-bearing sperm (45.

A novel laboratory procedure to validate American Urological Association guideline on vasectomy success and to diagnose obstructive azoospermia.

The objective was to develop a laboratory procedure to validate American Urological Association (AUA) Guideline on vasectomy success when nonmotile spermatozoa are found in the post-vasectomy ejaculate. The neutral α-glucosidase (NAG) an epididymal protein assay modified to determine the activity at 30 and 90 min of incubation from 24 pre- and 47 post-vasectomy ejaculates. The difference between the two points in the relative activity was calculated and if the difference was nonsignificant will confirm vasectomy success.

Selecting the most competent sperm for assisted reproductive technologies.

This paper discusses the variety of effective sperm selection techniques that have been developed for use in assisted reproductive technologies. Available methods for isolating the competent sperm in an ejaculate are outlined, as well as techniques for selecting single sperm for use in intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedures. Case-specific methods for selecting the most competent sperm are discussed, with reference to the potential causes of male factor infertility and guidance for the embryologist based on the issues present for each couple seeking treatment.

The hypo-osmotic swelling test for evaluation of sperm membrane integrity.

A functional membrane is requisite for the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa, as it plays an integral role in sperm capacitation, acrosome reaction, and binding of the spermatozoon to the egg surface. The hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test evaluates the functional integrity of the sperm's plasma membrane and also serves as a useful indicator of fertility potential of sperm. The HOS test predicts membrane integrity by determining the ability of the sperm membrane to maintain equilibrium between the sperm cell and its environment.

Human chorionic gonadotropin from day 2 spent embryo culture media and its relationship to embryo development.

Objective: To detect hCG in spent embryo culture media at day 2 after intracytoplasmic sperm injection and to assess the relationship of hCG to embryo development.

Design: Experimental study.

Setting: Fertility center and clinical diagnostic laboratory.

Is apolipoprotien E codon 112 polymorphisms associated with recurrent pregnancy loss?

Problem: To compare the prevalence of 112T>C point mutations among women experiencing RPL with fertile control women.

Method Of Study: Buccal swabs were obtained from 232 individuals: 136 with a history of >or=2 abortions, 37 with at least 2 live births and 59 with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DNA was extracted and PCR amplification of Apo E codons was performed.

Prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies among women experiencing unexplained infertility and recurrent implantation failure.

The prevalences of antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs) among 1,325 women with a history of unexplained infertility and 676 women experiencing recurrent implantation failure were compared with 789 women experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss and 205 fertile control women. Eight percent and 9% of women with a history of unexplained infertility and recurrent implantation failure had more than one positive APA compared with 1.5% of fertile negative control women and 11% of positive control women experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss.

The relevance of neutral alpha-glucosidase activity in andrology.

To assess the usefulness of routine determination of neutral alpha-glucosidase (NAG) in andrology, 216 ejaculates were analyzed for NAG activity and semen quality. A correlation between NAG activity and semen volume and sperm concentration was determined; however, no correlation was observed between NAG activity and sperm motility or sperm morphology. The number of azoospermic ejaculates that had NAG activity below acceptable levels was significantly higher than the number of non-azoospermic ejaculates with similarly low NAG levels.

Comparison of thrombophilic gene mutations among patients experiencing recurrent miscarriage and deep vein thrombosis.

Problem: Inherited thrombophilia has been shown to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease including deep venous thrombosis as well as reproductive disorders including recurrent pregnancy loss. We have previously reported three out of the 10 thrombophilic mutations studied, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G, factor XIII V34L, and homozygous MTHFR C667T, correlated significantly with recurrent pregnancy loss compared with controls. This study was undertaken to compare the frequencies of nine inherited thrombophilias among women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss with individuals experiencing deep venous thrombosis and fertile controls.

Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphisms are not risk factors for recurrent pregnancy loss: evaluation of couples.

Problem: The interleukin-1 system has been implicated in pregnancy outcome. Fetal carriage of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) specific alleles has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including spontaneous abortion and pre-term labor. This study was undertaken to compare the frequency of IL-1RN 2 alleles among both male and female partners of couples experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss with that of fertile control couples.

Cryopreservation of human sperm in a lecithin-supplemented freezing medium.

The use of egg yolk and serum albumin as additive diluents for human sperm cryopreservation is routine. But because both diluents are of animal origin, they potentially may introduce microbial agents to the sample. To reduce the risk of contamination, the cryoprotective property of phospholipids extracted from lecithin was evaluated and found to be effective when supplemented with dimethyl sulfoxide and glycerol.

The impact of male factor on recurrent pregnancy loss.

Purpose Of Review: The present paper reviews the current literature on the impact of male factor on recurrent pregnancy loss.

Recent Findings: Most clinicians focus their evaluation of recurrent pregnancy loss on the female, without much, if any, consideration of the other half of the couple - the male. Yet, the male contributes one-half of the genes for the embryo.

Which thrombophilic gene mutations are risk factors for recurrent pregnancy loss?

Problem: Thrombophilia has been associated with poor obstetrical outcomes. To determine the association of specific inherited thrombophilias and recurrent pregnancy loss, 10 thrombophilic genes were investigated.

Method Of Study: A total of 550 women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss had buccal swabs taken for DNA analyses of the following gene mutations: factor V G1691A, factor V H1299R (R2), factor V Y1702C, factor II prothrombin G20210A, factor XIII V34L, beta-fibrinogen -455G>A, PAI-1 4G/5G, HPA1 a/b(L33P), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T, MTHFR A1298C.

Y-chromosome microdeletions and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Y-chromosome microdeletions in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) couples as compared with couples with male factor infertility and fertile couples.

Design: Controlled clinical study.

Setting: Andrology laboratory and RPL clinic.

Male fertility preservation and cancer treatment.

The diagnosis of cancer in men or women leads to prompt evaluation of the extent of the cancer, its treatment, and subsequent prognosis. However, relatively little emphasis is placed on fertility following the completion of therapy. As the effectiveness of cancer treatment has improved, men can enjoy a longer life that is free of cancer.