Outcome of Sperm Preparation Using Double-Gradients Technique Study in Siriraj Hospital
Somsin Petyim MD*, Roungsin Choavaratana MD*, Singpetch Suksompong MD*, Pitak Laokirkkiat MD*, Orawan Makemaharn MSc*
Affiliation : * Infertility Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To determine the succession of sperm preparation using the double-gradients technique on sperm
quality: sperm recovery rate, sperm concentration, sperm motility and percentage of post wash total motile
sperm count.
Study
Results : Retrospective descriptive study.
Settings: Infertility clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj hospital.
Material and Method: During the period of January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2007, data including
semen analysis before and after IUI procedure were reviewed in all male patients who were referred to the
andrology laboratory for sperm washing and IUl. Comparison of semen parameters such as total sperm
concentration, total motile sperm count before and after sperm preparation as well as total sperm recovery
rate and total motile sperm recovery rate was evaluated.
Results : After sperm preparation, both sperm concentration and progressive sperm motility significantly
increased, while total motile sperm count significantly decreased. Moreover, the percentage of motile sperm
recovery rate and total sperm recovery rate was higher after sperm preparation at around 59.88 + 19.26%
and 34.03 + 14.58% respectively. When categorizing semen parameters to 4 groups: normozoospermia,
oligozoospermia, astenozo-ospermia and oligo-astenozoospermia, sperm motility in each group, comparing
with sperm motility prior preparation, significantly improved after sperm preparation. Furthermore, motile
sperm recovery rate in each group significantly increased except for astenozoospermia. Total sperm recovery rate
in oligozoospermia was significantly higher than normozoospermia, yet the others were significantly lower.
Conclusion : Sperm preparation using double gradient percoll provided a high percentage of motile sperm
recovery rate and total sperm recovery rate. It also dramatically improved progressive sperm motility in
normozoospermia, oligozoospermia, astenozoospermia and oligo-astenozoospermia.
Keywords : Sperm count, Sperm motility, Semen preservation
