The Effect of Sil-Select and Percoll on the Ultrastructure of Spermatozoa

Kim, Sung Hoon; Kim, Chung Hoon; Park, Eun Ju; Hong, Seok Ho; Nah, Hee Young; Kim, Jung Hee; Em, Hyun Jin; Kim, Sook Hee; Chae, Hee Dong; Kang, Byung Moon; Huh, Joo Ryung; Chang, Yoon Seok

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We performed this study to evaluate the effects of Sil-Select and Percoll in sperm preparation.
METHODS
Semen samples of 22 patients with normal sperm parameters by WHO criteria were divided into two equal parts and prepared with Percoll and Sil-Select. After completion of semen preparation procedures with Percoll and Sil-Select, sperm concentration, motility and morphology using strict criteria were evaluated in each group and all semen samples were fixed and stained for transmission electron microscopy(TEM).
RESULTS
There were no significant diffrences in sperm concentration, percentage of motile spermatozoa and percentage of normal spermatozoa in morphology evaluation using strict criteria under light microscopy between Percoll and Sil-Select-treated groups. However, the percentage of normal shape and position of acrosome, and normal helix assembly of mitochondria under TEM were significantly higher in the Sil-Select-treated group compared to Percoll-treated group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that Sil-Select is less detrimental to the acrosome and mitochondria of spermatozoa in sperm preparation compared to Percoll.