Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spontaneously developed tail swellings (SDTS) influence the accuracy of the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOS-test) in determining membrane integrity and viability of human spermatozoa

  • ANDROLOGY
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the prevalence of spontaneously developed tail swellings (SDTS) in human sperm samples that are commonly encountered in the laboratory, and their influence on the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOS-test).

Methods

Ejaculated, epididymal, and testicular sperm were evaluated for SDTS. Further, HOS-test scores were compared with those of vital stains using column washed sperm maintained in the laboratory.

Results

SDTS, at <10%, was present in all types of sperm samples. The highest and lowest occurrences of SDTS were found in cryopreserved sperm, and column-washed sperm respectively. SDTS can inflate the HOS-test score, and so lower the accuracy of the HOS-test. However, the HOS-test efficiency can be improved by assessing SDTS in the sample.

Conclusion

HOS-test and vital stain cannot be used interchangeably in all circumstances for sperm viability determination. The accuracy of the HOS-test can be enhanced by incorporating SDTS as a correction factor.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

References

  1. Jeyendran RS, Van der Ven HH, Perez-Pelaez M, Crabo BG, Zaneveld LJ. Development of an assay to assess the functional integrity of the human sperm membrane and its relationship to other semen characteristics. J Reprod Fertil. 1984;70:219–28.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Schrader SM, Platek SF, Zaneveld LJ, Perez-Pelaez M, Jeyendran RS. Sperm viability: a comparison of analytical methods. Andrologia. 1986;18:530–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Munuce MJ, Caille AM, Perfumo P, Morisoli L. Does the hypo-osmotic swelling test predict human sperm viability? Arch Androl. 2000;44:207–12.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Desmet B, Joris H, Nagy Z, Liu J, Bocken G, Vankelecom A, et al. Selection of vital immotile spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic injection by the hypo-osmotic swelling test. 10th Annual Meeting of ESHRE, June 1994. Hum Reprod. 1994;9(Suppl. 4): p. 24.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Casper RF, Cowan L, Lucato ML, Jarvi KA. The hypoosmotic swelling test for the selection of viable sperm for inctracytoplasmic sperm injection in men with complete asthenozoospermia. Fertil Steril. 1996;65:972–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Liu J, Tsai YL, Katz E, Compton G, Garcia JE, Baramki TA. High fertilization rate obtained after intracytoplasmic sperm injection with 100% non-motile spermatozoa selected by using a simple modified hypo-osmotic swelling test. Fertil Steril. 1997;68:373–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Smikle CB, Turek PJ. Hypo-osmotic swelling can accurately assess the viability of nonmotile sperm. Mol Reprod Develop. 1997;47:200–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Lin MH, Morshedi M, Srisombut C, Nassar A, Oehninger S. Plasma membrane integrity of cryopreserved human sperm: an investigation of the results of the hypoosmotic swelling test, the water tests, and eosin-Y staining. Fertil Steril. 1998;70:1148–55.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Jager S, Kremer J, Mijchman J. Hypoosmotic sperm swelling test does not assess fertilizing capacity of human spermatozoa. Arch Androl. 1991;26:195–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Esteves SC, Sharma RK, Thomas AJ, Agarwal A. Suitability of the hypo-osmotic swelling test for assessing the viability of cryopreserved sperm. Fertil Steril. 1996;66:798–804.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Avery S, Bolton VN, Mason BA. An evaluation of the hypo-osmotic sperm swelling test as a predictor of fertilizing capacity in vitro. Int J Androl. 1990;13:93–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Martini AC, Estofan D, Ruiz R, Cuneo M. Improving the predictive value of the hypo-osmotic swelling test in humans. Fertil Steril. 2006;85:1840–2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. World Health Organization. WHO laboratory manual for the examination of human semen and sperm-cervical mucus interaction. 4th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Gardner DK, Weissman A, Howles CM, Shoham Z. Textbook of assisted reproductive techniques: laboratory and clinical perspectives. 1st ed. London: Dunitz; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Rossato M, Balercia G, Lucarelli G, Mantero F. Role of seminal osmolarity in the regulation of human sperm motility. Int J Androl. 2002;37:207–18.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hossain A, Osuamkpe C, Nagamani M. Extended culture of human spermatozoa in the laboratory may have practical value in the assisted reproductive procedures. Fertil Steril. 2007;89:237–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Misro M, Chaki S. Development of a rapid, sensitive, and reproducible laboratory test kit for the assessment of plasma membrane integrity of human sperm. Fertil Steril. 2008;89:223–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA

    Amjad Hossain, Collin Osuamkpe, Shaikat Hossain & John Y. Phelps

Authors
  1. Amjad Hossain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Collin Osuamkpe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shaikat Hossain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. John Y. Phelps
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amjad Hossain.

Additional information

Capsule

Incorporating SDTS as a correction factor toward improving the accuracy of the HOS-test can be a viable option.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hossain, A., Osuamkpe, C., Hossain, S. et al. Spontaneously developed tail swellings (SDTS) influence the accuracy of the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOS-test) in determining membrane integrity and viability of human spermatozoa. J Assist Reprod Genet 27, 83–86 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-009-9375-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-009-9375-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation