[Spermiologic aspects of in vitro fertilization].

Some publications of the last three years, which deal with the influence of the spermatozoa on the success rates of the in vitro fertilization (ivf) were analysed: 1. Semen samples with 10(7) spermatozoa per ml and more than 30% motile and normally configurated sperm cells are regarded as the lower limit of the usability. 2. Microbiological investigations, determination of the concentration of white blood cells, assessment of the motility during an in vitro incubation, evaluation of the acrosomal enzymes, the resistance of the spermatozoa to osmotic stress and the ability of the penetration of pre-ovulatory mucus represent additional criteria for the selection of semen samples. 3. The correlation between the results of the penetration test of the zona pellucida-free hamster oocytes and of the ivf is discussed. A lower limit of the conventional semen parameters concerning a success of the ivf is not detectable by this test. 4. The applied method of the separation of the spermatozoa should depend on the sperm quality. "Swim up"-method led to the best rates of fertilization. 5. Improvement of the male conditions for the ivf is possible. 6. The infertility caused by antisperm-antibodies is an accepted indication of ivf in contrast to oligozoospermia. 7. The fertilization of the oocyte by the spermatozoon prerequisites several spermatozoal alterations (capacitation, acrosome reaction), which are presented in this article in parts.