Andrology: Acrosome reaction inducibility predicts fertilization success at in-vitro fertilization

Abstract

We prospectively studied the ability of acrosome reaction (AR) inducibility to predict fertilization success in a group of 232 infertile patients presenting sequentially for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The median percentage of eggs fertilized for the overall patient population was 25% (interquartile range 5-58%), with one to 29 oocytes available for insemination (median, five oocytes). The median percentage of eggs fertilized at IVF increased as the percentage of spermatozoa able to undergo AR became greater: spermatozoa with a failed AR (< or = 5%) fertilized only 12% of eggs, while spermatozoa with AR values > 9% fertilized 50% of eggs. The assay had a specificity of 0.75, a sensitivity of 0.55 and an odds ratio of 2.9; thus, AR-positive patients are 2.9 times more likely to achieve fertilization than patients with a failed AR. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for AR, sperm concentration and percentage of normal forms in semen. All three parameters proved to be potentially useful in predicting the occurrence of fertilization, although AR and morphology appeared to be better than sperm concentration by ROC analysis. Patients were divided into four clearly defined subgroups according to their traditional semen characteristics, including morphology. The median percentage of eggs fertilized decreased as traditional semen characteristics deteriorated, from a median of 46% for patients with excellent sperm concentration, motility and morphology, to a median of 29% for patients with suboptimal semen quality and a median of 0% for patients with severely impaired semen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of pentoxifylline treatment before freezing on motility, viability and acrosome status of poor quality human spermatozoa cryopreserved by the liquid nitrogen vapor method

“…Sperm function tests such as the acrosome reaction are better fertility predictors than traditional semen parameters (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28). The mechanism of the acrosome reaction induced by ionophores differs from the physiological acrosome reaction induced by the zona pellucida (22).…”

“…Instead, we elected to use the ionophore-induced acrosome reaction because it has been extensively validated as a sperm function test with excellent predictive values for outcomes in assisted reproduction (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28). Using an ARIC cutoff of 10%, the sensitivity of the test in predicting subfertility was 54%, with a positive predictive value of 64% and specificity of 85% (24)(25)(26). In the present study, ARIC scores were higher than 10% in 50% of the cryopreserved PF-treated specimens, and in only 19% of the controls.…”

Induction of the Acrosome Reaction and Zona‐Free Hamster Oocyte Penetration by a Bull With Complete Teratospermia Versus a Half Brother With Normal Sperm

“…The induced acrosome reaction in human sperm has a higher predictive value for successful IVF than morphology or other semen parameters (Calvo et al, 1994). The zona-free hamster oocyte-sperm penetration assay has been used with capacitated sperm from many species (Yanagimachi et al, 1976;Williamson et al, 1984;Rogers, 1985;Moryan et al, 1986;Howard et al, 1991).…”

“…Among the tests, strict criteria morphology has received considerable attention because of its high value in predicting fertility of sperm used for IVF (Vawda et al, 1996). The acrosome reaction provides additional information on the quality of human semen (Calvo et al, 1994).…”

Spontaneous and follicular fluid-induced acrosome reaction in sperm samples from in vitro fertilizing and nonfertilizing normozoospermic patients

“…The ability of spermatozoa to undergo a spontaneous or an induced AR has been reported to correlate with male fertility (5,6). Several assays have been devised to monitor the occurrence of this process, aiming mainly at prediction of IVF outcome.…”