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Selective capacity of glass-wool filtration for the separation of human spermatozoa with condensed chromatin: A possible therapeutic modality for male-factor cases?

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate chromatin condensation of human spermatozoa following swim-up compared to glass-wool separation. Semen aliquots from men attending an andrological outpatient clinic were processed by means of a swim-up procedure and glass-wool filtration. Chromatin condensation was recorded using aniline blue staining and results were reported according to color intensity of stained sperm heads. Morphometric measurements of sperm heads were performed on stained sperm samples.

Results

Glass-wool filtration resulted (i) in a significantly higher total motile sperm count (P<0.0005) compared to swim-up and (ii) in a significantly higher percentage of normal chromatin-condensed spermatozoa compared to the ejaculate (P<0.01).

Conclusion

In contrast, comparing swim-up to the ejaculate, the percentage of matured nuclei (unstained spermatozoa) retrieved following swim-up was significantly lower (P<0.005). Glass-wool filtration separates human spermatozoa according to motility and size of the sperm head. The size of the sperm head closely correlated with the chromatin condensation quality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Andrology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

    Ralf R. Henkel & Wolf-Bernhard Schill

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa

    Daniel R. Franken

  3. Institute of Biostatistics, Medical Research Council, Parow, South Africa

    Carl J. Lombard

Authors
  1. Ralf R. Henkel
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  2. Daniel R. Franken
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  3. Carl J. Lombard
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  4. Wolf-Bernhard Schill
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Henkel, R.R., Franken, D.R., Lombard, C.J. et al. Selective capacity of glass-wool filtration for the separation of human spermatozoa with condensed chromatin: A possible therapeutic modality for male-factor cases?. J Assist Reprod Genet 11, 395–400 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02211725

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02211725

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