Preparation of Human Spermatozoa for In Vitro Fertilization by Isopycnic Centrifugation on Self-Generating Density Gradients

Abstract

A simple and rapid method is described for the retrieval of highly motile, morphologically normal spermatozoa from human semen. This method is a modification of a technique described previously [3] and employs the process of isopycnic centrifugation of semen on self-generating Percoll density gradients. The procedure is carried out under sterile conditions and has no detectable deleterious effects on the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa. Spermatozoa may be recovered from semen samples of widely differing quality and can be used successfully for in vitro fertilization (IVF). This technique may be useful not only for the preparation of spermatozoa for IVF and possibly for artificial insemination by husband (AIH) but also for the investigation and analysis of the causes of infertility associated with oligozoospermia.

Key Words:

• Percoll
• Isopycnic centrifugation
• Oligozoospermia
• In vitro fertilization
• Sperm separation