Comparison of hyaluronan binding assay scores of spermatozoa using swim-up techniques and density gradient centrifugation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the hyaluronan binding assay (HBA) scores of sperm preparation using two different methods, the swim-up technique and density gradient centrifugation (DGC). MATERIALS AND METHOD: This experimental study used semen specimens from 54 volunteer subjects with normal semen analysis according to the 2010 World Health Organization criteria. Each semen specimen was split into two portions: one was prepared using the swim-up method and the other the DGC method. The prepared sperm were counted in the sperm-HBA slide to determine bound and unbound motile sperm. The HBA scores between the two methods were compared using matched analysis. RESULTS: The HBA scores by either preparation method were >80%. There was no statistically significant difference in HBA scores between the swim-up preparation [median 97%, interquartile range (IQR) 94, 98] and density gradient centrifugation [median 96%, IQR 95, 98] (p = 0.96). Ten ofthe 54 specimens received the same HBA scores following the two methods and none differed by more than +/- 7%. CONCLUSION: Both preparation methods gave high HBA scores with no apparent difference in the proportions between methods.

Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome among patients with mild-moderate and severe chronic pelvic pain.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in patients with mild-moderate and severe chronic pelvic pain (CPP) compared with controls. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The cross-sectional study with age-matched controls was conducted in a university hospital The study group comprised ofconsecutive premenopausal women aged 17 to 51 years who had a chief complaint of CPP. Severity of pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale. The diagnosis of lBS was based on the Rome II criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of IBS in the mild-moderate CPP group was 21 in 104 (20.2%) patients, and in the severe CPP group 25 in 131 (19.1%) patients. The patients in both mild-moderate CPP group (p-value = 0.028), and severe CPP group (p-value = 0.036) had higher prevalence oflBS compared to the controls. The prevalence oflBS in the mild-moderate CPP group was not different from that in the severe CPP group. CONCLUSION: The prevalence oflBS in patients with mild-moderate CPP was similar to that in patients with severe CPP.