Temperature Controlled Centrifugation: - The Effect on Motion Characteristics of Human Sperm

Sperm retrieval techniques form an integral part of the assisted reproductive programme. The success of sperm separation is measured by the number of motile sperm retrieved from a given semen sample. The influence of various technical procedures and diluent media upon human spermatozoa has been tested in vitro (Jeulin et al., 1982). The percentage and velocity of motile spermatozoa are often measured objectively using laser Doppler velocimetry or Hamilton Thorne IVOS 10 computerized sperm analyzer (CASA). When spermatozoa are incubated at 37 degrees C, rapid declines in both percentage motile and in velocity were observed with incubation periods lasting more than 4-h (Jeulin et al., 1982). Human sperm incubation at room temperature does not allow capacitation, although it does not affect hFF-induced acrosome reaction in capacitated cells. The blocking effect is overcome when spermatozoa are exposed to 37°C (Maryn-Briggiler et al., 2002). Keppler et al., (2002) found significantly higher percent motility, mean average path velocity, straight line velocity, lateral head displacement, and percent hyperactivation in sperm at the 40oC temperature (Keppler et al., 1999)