Total acrosin activity correlates with fertility potential after fertilization in vitro.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the possible relationship between total acrosin activity in spermatozoa and fertility potential after fertilization in vitro.

DESIGN

Total acrosin activity of spermatozoa was measured in 101 in vitro fertilization (IVF) cases by an observer unaware of fertilization and cleavage results.

SETTING

University Hospital is a tertiary referral center offering a government supported In Vitro Fertilization Programme.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were couples undergoing IVF.

INTERVENTIONS

A miniature assay measured total acrosin activity in the semen sample used for IVF.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The proportion of mature oocytes fertilized, the proportion of mature oocytes transferred, and fertilization of at least one mature oocyte were considered outcomes with fertility potential.

RESULTS

Total acrosin activity correlated with both the proportion of mature oocytes fertilized and the proportion of mature oocytes that were transferred as cleaving embryos. Total acrosin activity was higher in cycles when one or more mature oocyte fertilized compared with cycles with failed fertilization of all mature oocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

The likelihood ratio for subnormal results indicates that measurement of total acrosin activity is a fair test of the fertilizing capacity of sperm.