Abstract
Purpose: Numerous techniques have been used to prepare sperm for assisted reproduction technology. Density-gradient centrifugation with Percoll is becoming a method of choice. This study reviewed the results of a simple two-layer discontinuous Percoll gradient.
Methods: We reviewed retrospectively results obtained from 208 semen specimens prepared for in vitro fertilization by a discontinuous Percoll gradient.
Results: Overall results (mean ± SD) were a recovery of 21±16% of total sperm, recovery of 38±30% of motile sperm, and a motility in the final sperm preparation of 88±10%. Specimens with higher initial concentrations had higher motilities in the final preparation. Higher total recovery and higher motility in the final preparation were found for specimens with a higher initial motility.
Conclusions: This simple two-layer Percoll technique is rapid and inexpensive and reliably produces a final sperm preparation with desirable characteristics. Even though specimens with poor initial parameters yielded final preparations with excellent characteristics, fertilization rates were still related to the initial semen parameters.
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Miller, K.F., Falcone, T. & Goldberg, J.M. Variation in recovery of motile sperm after preparation by a simple percoll gradient technique. J Assist Reprod Genet 13, 485–488 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066529
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066529