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Chapter 24 - The Current Use of Sperm Function Assays

from Section 4 - Laboratory Evaluation and Treatment of Male Infertility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 December 2023

By
Sara Marchiani  and
Elisabetta Baldi
Edited by
Douglas T. Carrell ,
Alexander W. Pastuszak  and
James M. Hotaling
Douglas T. Carrell
Affiliation:
Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine
Alexander W. Pastuszak
Affiliation:
University of Utah
James M. Hotaling
Affiliation:
Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine
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Summary

Although semen analysis is the main routine test used in the diagnosis of male infertility, it is considered to be poorly predictive of male fertility status. Only recently, research in sperm biology focused on the development of assays to evaluate sperm functions necessary to reach and fertilize the oocyte and to allow a correct embryo development. However, the clinical utility of the currently proposed tests/assays remains a matter of debate, especially after introduction of ICSI. Ideally, since fertilization proceeds in a cascade-like manner, the goal would be to develop a single test able to evaluate all the aspects involved in this process and introduce it in ART laboratories. Such test should be simple, cheap, and not requiring expensive technology. Unfortunately, this aim is still far from being achieved. In this chapter, we discuss the most promising tests assessing sperm functions, describing their validity, limits, and potential use in clinical practice.

Keywords

men’s healthreproductionsemen analysissperm capacitationARTICSICASAhyperactivated spermHemizona assayacrosome functionsperm-oocyte fusionsperm chromatinsperm DNA
Type
Chapter
Information
Men's Reproductive and Sexual Health Throughout the Lifespan
An Integrated Approach to Fertility, Sexual Function, and Vitality
 , pp. 191 - 196
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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