Application of Poisson distribution theory to the zona-free hamster oocyte penetration test to assess sperm function of men with asthenozoospermia.

Abstract

Assessments of the penetrating potential of human spermatozoa were carried out using the zona-free hamster oocyte penetration test on 4 groups of subjects exhibiting normal fertility, idiopathic asthenozoospermia(less than 40% motility), asthenozoospermia associated with varicocele and oligoaesthenozoospermia (less than 20 X 10(6) spermatozoa/ml and less than 40% motility). When the Poisson model was used to correct the results of the in-vitro penetration experiments for differences in motile sperm concentration, significant differences were apparent between the normal fertile controls and all 3 categories of asthenozoospermic patient. Furthermore, the penetrating ability of the motile spermatozoa from patients presenting with a varicocele or oligoaesthenozoospermia was significantly less than that for the group in which asthenozoospermia was the only detectable defect. These results emphasize the practical significance of the Poisson model in the analysis of male fertility and demonstrate that the asthenozoospermic condition is associated with a significant reduction in the fertilizing potential of the motile spermatozoa.