Abstract
Rapid advances in reproductive biology in recent years have greatly improved our understanding of sperm physiology and the mechanisms leading to fertilization. Coupled with this has been a shift in emphasis from the traditional semen analysis to more elaborate sperm function tests that are able to predict more accurately the ability of the sperm to fuse to and fertilize the ovum. The use of these tests has, in some instances, provided valuable insight into male factor infertility, previously categorized as idiopathic. This manuscript examines the following eight sperm assessment tests: sperm penetration assay, hemizona assay, mannose binding, acrosome reaction, hypo-osmotic swelling test, sperm chromatin condensation, reactive oxygen species, and sperm morphology, briefly discussing in each case the methodology, physiological basis, and predictiveness of in vitro fertilization. Owing to the complexity of fertilization and the steps leading to it, none of the tests used singly can predict conclusively whether or not fertilization would occur. However, some tests, especially when used in combination, are highly predictive of fertilization.
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