ABSTRACT
It is well known that one of the powerful sperm function tests is the acrosome reaction [AR], which is a prerequisite in the fertilization process. The predictability of sperm fertilizing ability using AR has been suggested for IVF treatment cycles. The aim of study was to assess the power of AR using human follicular fluid [hFF] to predict the fertilization rate [FR] in IVF cycles. This investigation was experimental. During 9 month, 54 different semen samples were collected from infertile men exactly before insemination of retrieved oocytes. Each sample was divided into 4 aliquots and semen analysis [SA] was done on the first aliquot. For Acrosomal reaction, the sperm samples were washed with Ham'sf10 culture media and after 2 hours in 37C[degree sign] incubator, the samples were divided into 3 tubes. The first tube was control, DMSO 1mg/ml was added to the second tube and follicular fluid was added to the third one. The acrosome was stained by double staining method and acrosomal status was examined. The data analysis showed that there are no significant relationships between fertilization, sperm count, fast moving sperms, slow moving sperms, overall sperm motility and morphology. The results also showed that the mean of acrosome reactions in groups with rate 50% were significant [p<0.05]. In addition, using ROC analysis, with cut-off value of 45% for fertilization, a cut-off value of 10.5% was achieved. In order to have a more accurate selection of the method of fertilization, predict the success rate of IVF and prevent possible complications, it is advisable to use acrosome reaction test