The hemizona assay is of good prognostic value for the ability of sperm to fertilize oocytes in vitro

Abstract

To assess the prognostic value of hemizona assay (HZA) in predicting the success of IVF. Samples from 133 patients, who were referred for semen evaluation, were tested by HZA. Thirty samples were tested twice to assess interassay variation. Seventy couples were also referred for IVF. Results of HZA were compared with standard parameters of sperm quality, fertilization rates, and pregnancies. The intra-assay and interassay coefficient of variation were 8% and 14%, respectively. Hemizona assay results had the highest correlation with sperm morphology (r = 0.60). Of all parameters evaluated, fertilization rates were best predicted by hemizona index (HZI) (r = 0.75). The assay was found to have high sensitivity and specificity rates, at a threshold HZI of 23%. The HZA is a valuable prognostic test for IVF. With a threshold HZI of 23%, it has a good predictive value for fertilization rates in IVF, and may thus be used for patient preselection before IVF.