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Semin Reprod Med 2009; 27(2): 115-123
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1202300
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Semen Analysis and Sperm Function Assays: What Do They Mean?

Mark Sigman1 , Armand Zini2
  • 1Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
  • 2McGill University, St. Mary's Hospital, Montreal, Canada
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Publication History

Publication Date:
26 February 2009 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Appropriate laboratory testing is an integral component of the proper evaluation of the male presenting with infertility. This article reviews the semen analysis and sperm function assays. Sperm function testing is used to determine if the sperm have the biologic capacity to perform the tasks necessary to reach and fertilize ova and ultimately result in live births. For a sperm to be fertile in vivo, it must be able to traverse the cervical mucus and reach the ova. The sperm must undergo capacitation and the acrosome reaction, fuse with the oolemma, and incorporate into the ooplasm. Proper embryo development requires that functional DNA be delivered to the ooplasm. Defects in any of these steps may result in infertility. A variety of tests are available to evaluate different aspects of these functions. To accurately use these functional assays, the clinician must understand what the tests measure, what the indications are for the assays, and how to interpret the results to direct further testing or patient management.

KEYWORDS

Semen analysis - sperm functions tests - DNA integrity - sperm penetration assay - postcoital test - reactive oxygen species - zona pellucida - acrosome reaction

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Mark SigmanM.D. 

Associate Professor Surgery (Urology), Brown University

Suite 174, 2 Dudley Street, Providence, RI 02905

Email: MSigman@Lifespan.org