Epsilon Open Archive

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Good quality spermatozoa are important to achieve fertilization, viable embryos and offspring. Single
Layer Centrifugation (SLC) through a colloid (Androcoll-P) selects good quality spermatozoa. However, it has not
been established previously whether porcine spermatozoa selected by this method maintain their fertility.

METHODS: The semen was prepared either by SLC or by standard centrifugation (control) and used for in vitro
fertilization (IVF) at oocyte:spermatozoa ratios of 1:50; 1:100 and 1:300 (or 4 x 103, 8 x 103 and 24 x 103
spermatozoa/ml) to evaluate their subsequent ability to generate blastocysts. In addition, sperm motility was
assessed by computer assisted sperm motility analysis.

RESULTS: Total and progressive motility were significantly higher in sperm samples prepared by SLC compared to
uncentrifuged samples. Sperm binding ability, polyspermy, cleavage and blastocyst rates were affected by the
oocyte:sperm ratio, but not by sperm treatment.

CONCLUSION: The use of SLC does not adversely affect the in vitro fertilizing and embryo-generating ability of the
selected spermatozoa compared to their unselected counterparts, but further modifications in the IVF conditions
would be needed to improve the monospermy in IVF systems. Since SLC did not appear to have a negative effect
on sperm fertilizing ability, and may in fact select for spermatozoa with a greater potential for fertilization, an in vivo trial to determine the usefulness of this sperm preparation technique prior to artificial insemination is warranted.