Comparison of the effects on penetration capacity of human spermatozoa between using Ham's F-10 medium and a medium based on the composition of human tubal fluid.

The penetration ability of human spermatozoa on zona-free hamster ovum when using Ham's F-10 (HF-10) medium was compared with that when using a medium based on the composition of human tubal fluid. Forty semen specimens were each divided into two aliquots; one aliquot was washed with and incubated in HF-10 medium and the other in HTF medium. The penetration rate of sperm with motility between 30 to 60 percent was significantly increased when HTF medium was used (67.9 +/- 6.9%) compared with the rate when HF-10 medium was used (49.2 +/- 7.3%) (P less than 0.05). This study shows that the ZFHO penetration ability of human spermatozoa with poor motility can be improved by using HTF medium as compared with the use of HF-10 medium.

A test for the practical evaluation of male fertility by acridine orange (AO) fluorescence.

A new and practical test for evaluating the fertility of a male subject has been developed. Twenty-eight donors whose semen had induced at least one pregnancy resulting in a normal delivery and 61 patients attending our infertility clinic were studied. Semen smears stained with acridine orange were read on a fluorescence microscope; sperm heads appeared either green (fertile) or red ( nonfertile ). We introduce the concept of an "effective sperm count" which is obtained by multiplying the percentage of green-fluorescing sperm by the actual sperm count. Of our fertile subjects, 27 of 28 (96.4%) exhibited an effective sperm count of greater than or equal to 50 million/ml, while 60 of 61 (98.3%) infertile patients fell below this value. The percent green correlates with neither actual sperm count nor motility, indicating that this test measures a new parameter of male fertility.

A simple technique of laparoscopic tubal sterilization.

In the last several years the use of laparoscopy in gynecological practice has become very popular. It is indicated for a number of conditions. However, sterilization of the female has been the main indication for laparoscopy and will remain so until more efficient and reversible techniques are developed. A simple technique of laparoscopic tubal sterilization is presented. In the opinion of the authors it offers several advantages over other methods. Only one instrument is used and only one type of electrical current applied. A small portion of the fallopian tube is removed and the surrounding tissue--the tube and mesosalpinx-- is sufficiently cauterized to secure hemostasis. The histological quality of the removed specimen is excellent. Finally, less than 2 cm of fallopian tube is destroyed, providing an excellent opportunity for reanastomosis.