Korean J Fertil Steril.  1998 Dec;25(3):251-260.

A Stimulated Acrosome Reaction Test as a Prognostic Factor in In Vitro Fertilization

• Kim CH
• Chae HD
• Kang EH
• Chu HS
• Cheon YP
• Kang BM
• Chang YS
• Mok JE

Abstract

It is well known that the clinical test for responsibility of accurate fertilization capacity in male partners is very important to diagnose and treat the infertility. However, it has been reported that the traditional semen analysis cannot accurately predict fertilization and pregnancy potential. The present study was performed to evaluate the acrosomal reaction to ionophore challenge (ARIC) test as a prognostic indicator for fertilization of sperm and oocyte in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program. From March 1996 to Februry 1997, 30 couples undergoing IVF program were allocated to this study group. All female partners in the study group were 35 years old or less and their serum level of basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) were normal. All the male partners have normal parameters of semen analysis. The ARIC tests were performed on the day of ovum pick up and in vitro insemination in all the male partners. The controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) using luteal long protocol of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist was used in all couples for IVF-ET. The acrosomal reaction with 10microliter of 10% DMSO was induced spontaneously in 10.1+/-9.8%, and acrosomal reaction with calcium ionophore A 23187 was induced in 27.4+/-18.1%, and the ARIC value was 17.4+/-16.2%. There were no significant correlation between the ARIC value and the fertilization rate (r2=0.044, p=0.268). There were also no significant correlation between the ARIC value and the percentage of the grade I, II embryos (r2=0.046, p=0.261). On the basis of above results, it was suggested that ARIC test might not be a useful prognostic indicator for fertilization in IVF-ET in male partners with normal parameters of conventional semen analysis. We guessed that IVF-ET could be performed to the patients primarily without universal appilcation of ARIC test to all male partenrs, and if fertilization failure occurs, the microassisted fertilization (MAF) such as intracytoplsmic sperm injection (ICSI) might be used as an alternative mode of treatment with acceptable success rate.

MeSH Terms

Acrosome Reaction*
Acrosome*
Adult
Calcimycin
Calcium
Dimethyl Sulfoxide
Embryo Transfer
Embryonic Structures
Estradiol
Family Characteristics
Female
Fertilization
Fertilization in Vitro*
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
Humans
Infertility
Insemination
Male
Oocytes
Ovum
Pregnancy
Semen Analysis
Spermatozoa
Calcimycin
Calcium
Dimethyl Sulfoxide
Estradiol
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone