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Sperm plasma membrane integrity in fertile and infertile men
Author(s) -
Ramirez J. P.,
Carreras A.,
Mendoza C.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0272.1992.tb02627.x
Subject(s) - andrology , semen , sperm , membrane integrity , sperm motility , biology , staining , motility , semen analysis , infertility , medicine , membrane , biochemistry , genetics , pregnancy
Summary. Sperm plasma membrane characteristics were analysed by a combined method, the HOS‐eosine test (HOS‐E test), that consists of the hypoosmotic swelling test (HOS test), and the eosine‐Y staining. Semen samples were categorized into four groups (Normo‐, Oligo‐, Astheno‐, and Oligoasthenozoospermic) and subjected to the standard analysis (spermiogram), HOS test, eosine‐nigrosine test (reflecting sperm viability), and HOS‐E test. HOS‐E test makes it possible to distinguish four groups of spermatozoa: type 1, HOS+/eosine‐; type 2, HOS‐/eosine‐; type 3, HOS‐/eosine+; and type 4, HOS+/eosine+. Normozoospermic samples showed 61.2 ± 1.4% type 1, 9.2 ± 0.8% type 2, 22.6 ± 1.1% type 3, and 6.8 ± 0.6% type 4 spermatozoa. Oligozoospermic samples showed no significant differences in these values, whereas asthenozoospermic samples showed a higher percentage of types 3 and 4 and a lower percentage of type 1. Oligoasthenozoospermic samples showed high percentages of types 2, 3, and 4 and a low percentage of type 1. Sperm plasma membrane integrity is a necessary condition for motility and fertilization. So, it is not surprising that semen samples with abnormal motility showed a HOS‐E result indicative of a defective plasma membrane.