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A New Method for the Purification of Human Motile Spermatozoa Applying Density-Gradient Centrifugation: Polysucrose Media Compared to Percoll Media

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Abstract

Purpose: A newly developed method for the Isolation of human motile spermatozoa using density-gradient centrifugation was compared with the traditionally used Percoll technique.

Method: Sperm samples were divided into two equal aliquots, which were purified with either the traditionally performed Percoll technique or a new alternative based on polysucrose/Optiprep media. For each sample the isolation was performed during the same run of the centrifuge.

Results: The average recovery of progressively motile spermatozoa with the polysucrose/Optiprep method was significantly higher (48 ± 7%) than with the Percoll method (38 ± 6%) (n = 18). The average percentage of motile spermatozoa and the motility score were similar in the purified preparations.

Conclusions: The new polysucrose/Optiprep-based density-gradient centrifugation technique for the isolation of motile human spermatozoa is as good as the traditionally used Percoll method and may replace it in connection with assisted reproduction techniques.

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Andersen, C.Y., Grinsted, J. A New Method for the Purification of Human Motile Spermatozoa Applying Density-Gradient Centrifugation: Polysucrose Media Compared to Percoll Media. J Assist Reprod Genet 14, 624–628 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022545121367

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022545121367

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