J Hum Reprod Sci
2015[Apr]; 8
(2
): 61-9
PMID26157295
show ga
With absolute normal semen analysis parameters it may not be necessary to shift
to specialized tests early but in cases with borderline parameters or with
history of fertilization failure in past it becomes necessary to do a battery of
tests to evaluate different parameters of spermatozoa. Various sperm function
tests are proposed and endorsed by different researchers in addition to the
routine evaluation of fertility. These tests detect function of a certain part of
spermatozoon and give insight on the events in fertilization of the oocyte. The
sperms need to get nutrition from the seminal plasma in the form of fructose and
citrate (this can be assessed by fructose qualitative and quantitative
estimation, citrate estimation). They should be protected from the bad effects of
pus cells and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (leukocyte detection test, ROS
estimation). Their number should be in sufficient in terms of (count), structure
normal to be able to fertilize eggs (semen morphology). Sperms should have intact
and functioning membrane to survive harsh environment of vagina and uterine
fluids (vitality and hypo-osmotic swelling test), should have good mitochondrial
function to be able to provide energy (mitochondrial activity index test). They
should also have satisfactory acrosome function to be able to burrow a hole in
zona pellucida (acrosome intactness test, zona penetration test). Finally, they
should have properly packed DNA in the nucleus to be able to transfer the male
genes (nuclear chromatic decondensation test) to the oocyte during fertilization.
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