Sperm Preparation

David Mortimer; Lars Björndahl; Christopher L. R. Barratt; José Antonio Castilla; Roelof Menkveld; Ulrik Kvist; Juan G. Alvarez; Trine B. Haugen

doi:10.1017/9781009181648.009

Chapter 9 - Sperm Preparation

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 February 2022

David Mortimer ,

Lars Björndahl ,

Christopher L. R. Barratt ,

José Antonio Castilla ,

Juan G. Alvarez and

David Mortimer: Affiliation:
Oozoa Biomedical Inc., Vancouver
Lars Björndahl: Affiliation:
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
Christopher L. R. Barratt: Affiliation:
University of Dundee
José Antonio Castilla: Affiliation:
HU Virgen de las Nieves, Granada
Roelof Menkveld: Affiliation:
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Ulrik Kvist: Affiliation:
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
Juan G. Alvarez: Affiliation:
Centro ANDROGEN, La Coruña
Trine B. Haugen: Affiliation:
Oslo Metropolitan University

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Summary

The physiology and basic principles of sperm washing and other preparative techniques are described, including the limitations and even dangers posed by some methods. Optimized methods for sperm preparation using direct swim-up from semen and density gradient centrifugation are provided as standard operating procedures (SOPs) for easy use at the bench. Methods are focussed on standardization and robustness, and minimizing the risk iatrogenic damage to the spermatozoa and avoiding errors. There are sections on selecting which method to use, dealing with atypical semen specimens, processing multiple specimens, and potential new technology for preparing human spermatozoa for use in assisted conception treatment.

Keywords

sperm preparation sperm washing swim-up density gradient centrifugation

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: A Practical Guide to Basic Laboratory Andrology , pp. 194 - 217

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009181648.009 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2022

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