BACKGROUND Sperm screening is an essential step in in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The swim-up method, an assay for sperm motility, is used clinically to select the ideal sperm for subsequent manipulation. However, additional parameters, including acrosome reaction capability, chemotaxis, and thermotaxis, are also important indicators of mammalian sperm health. To monitor both sperm mo...

STUDY QUESTION Does fibronectin (Fn) stimulate the sperm capacitation process in humans? SUMMARY ANSWER Fibronectin stimulates human sperm capacitation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Capacitation is a process that occurs in the oviduct. It has been suggested that some molecules present in the oviductal fluid and cells as well as proteins present in the cumulus oophorus could be involved in the modu...

This paper describes a robust single sperm tracking algorithm (SSTA) that can be used in laser optical trapping and sperm motility studies. The algorithm creates a region of interest (ROI) centered about a sperm selected by the user. SSTA contrast enhances the ROI image and implements a modified four-class thresholding method to extract the tracked sperm as it transitions in and out of focus. T...

Background: Adipose tissue is not only an energy storage tissue but also an important endocrine organ that secretes protein hormones. Among them, the production and secretion of adiponectin is inversely correlated to the severity of obesity. In adipose tissue, adiponectin production is transcriptionally regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). Obesity is a major healt...

Sperm competition, when sperm from different males compete to fertilize a female's ova, is a widespread and fundamental force in the evolution of animal reproduction. The earliest prediction of sperm competition theory was that sperm competition selected for the evolution of numerous, tiny sperm, and that this force maintained anisogamy. Here, we empirically test this prediction directly by usi...

Accurate prognosis of male fertility based on semen measurements is still not straightforward. This study was designed to identify the best predictors of fertility and to develop a multiple regression model predicting fertility using selected parameters of semen analysis. The predictive value of standard semen parameters and selected functional tests were studied in 113 fertile men and in 109 s...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the role of hyaluronic acid (HA) for sperm selection before intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). DESIGN Three prospective studies. SETTING Private assisted reproduction center in Italy. PATIENT(S) Study 1: 20 men. Study 2: 15 men. Study 3: 206 couples treated with ICSI on a limited number of oocytes per patient (1-3) in accordance with Italian IVF law. INTERVEN...

OBJECTIVE To analyze the effects of certain herbs on sperm DNA and on the fertilization process. DESIGN Prospective comparative study. SETTING Clinical and academic research environment. PATIENT(S) Donor sperm specimens. INTERVENTION(S) Zona-free hamster oocytes were incubated for 1 hour in saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), echinacea purpura, ginkgo biloba, St. John's wort (Hypericum perfo...