Changes in Sperm Quality After Two Different Techniques of Sperm Preparation

Abstract

Introduction: Sperm preparation is an important step in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). The two commonly used sperm preparation techniques in ART laboratory are the swim-up technique and density gradient centrifugation. The objective of this study was to compare the sperm qualities after sperm preparation between the swim-up technique and density gradient centrifugation. Materials & Methods: A total of 25 semen samples were obtained from men who attended infertility clinic, Department of OB-GYN, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University during February 2012 and March 2012. Semen samples were divided into two equal aliquots for sperm preparation by using the swim-up technique and density gradient centrifugation. Sperm qualities were evaluated as the sperm concentration, total motile sperm, the percentage of sperm motility, and the percentage of normal sperm morphology. The comparison between groups was done by paired t-test with significant level a gif.latex?\alpha < 0.05. Results: The swim-up technique gave a better result in sperm motility and sperm normal morphology than the density gradient centrifugation technique. Density gradient technique resulted in higher sperm concentration and total motile sperm. Conclusions: The swim-up technique should be a more suitable technique for sperm preparation in ART laboratories because it is a very simple, fast, effective, and less expensive.