Comparison of the effects on penetration capacity of human spermatozoa between using Ham's F-10 medium and a medium based on the composition of human tubal fluid.

The penetration ability of human spermatozoa on zona-free hamster ovum when using Ham's F-10 (HF-10) medium was compared with that when using a medium based on the composition of human tubal fluid. Forty semen specimens were each divided into two aliquots; one aliquot was washed with and incubated in HF-10 medium and the other in HTF medium. The penetration rate of sperm with motility between 30 to 60 percent was significantly increased when HTF medium was used (67.9 +/- 6.9%) compared with the rate when HF-10 medium was used (49.2 +/- 7.3%) (P less than 0.05). This study shows that the ZFHO penetration ability of human spermatozoa with poor motility can be improved by using HTF medium as compared with the use of HF-10 medium.