Correlation of the penetration test of zona-free hamster ovocytes and other sperm parameters. Value of this test in evaluating male infertility
Leroy-Martin, B.; Saint Pol, P.; Bouhdida, M.; Hermand, E.
Journal de Gynecologie Obstetrique et Biologie de la Reproduction 18(6): 729-734
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0368-2315 PMID: 2600376 Accession: 039696249
On investigating infertility in 162 couples the zona-free hamster egg penetration test was carried out. As a control we tested the ejaculates of 34 fertile men. There is a significant correlation between the percentage of oocytes that were penetrated and the count (p less than 0.001) in motility after one hour (p less than 0.001) and the count after migration (p less than 0.001). The outcome in 129 infertile couples made it possible for us to confirm that the percentage of oocytes penetrated, the initial motility and the number of motile sperms after migration are the best parameters for assessing sperm function that are known (p much less than 0.001) for investigating male fertility. Finally a study of the test in fertile sperm donors made it possible for us to raise statistically significantly the numbers of pregnancies per artificial insemination cycle when the percentage of oocytes penetrated is higher than 50% (p much less than 0.001). Although the egg penetration test did not prove male sterility it can be considered an extra test to be carried out over and above the sperm count and post-coital test in evaluating the fertilisation capacity of sperm.