Comparative study on efficacy of three sperm-separation techniques

Aim: To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of real-time sperm separation technique (Wang's tube method) andother two conventional methods in isolating high-quality sperm preparation, and to compare the spouse pregnancy ratein intrauterine insemination (IUI) with sperm preparations isolated by these methods. Methods: The effectivenessof the real-time sperm separation technique, the conventional swim-up and the Percoll discontinuous density gradientmethods in isolating sperm preparations from 60 infertile patients (20 with apparently normal semen and 40, abnormalsemen contaminated with microorganisms and other impurities) was evaluated and compared. The microorganisms to beremoved included bacteria, vires, Chlamydia trachomaticum, Ureaplsama urealyticum, etc. The spouse pregnancyrates in IUI with sperm preparations isolated by these three techniques from 80 oligoasthenoteratospermic patients werealso compared. Results: The quality (including the percentages of normal form, normal-chromatin and motilesperm, and the grade of motility) of sperm obtained by the real-time sperm separation technique was much higher ( P< 0.01) as compared with those by the other two methods. The Wang's tube method was also more effective in remov-ing microorganisms and other impurities. The method provided a higher IUI pregnancy rate than the other two spermseparation techniques ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: The real-time sperm separation technique is the most effectivemethod so far available in isolating high-quality sperm samples to be used in assisted reproduction.