Hyaluronan Binding Assay (HBA) versus Sperm Penetration Assay (SPA)

Structured abstract:
Objective: To determine if a less expensive, easier, and faster to perform HBA test is clinically equal to the more complicated, technically challenging and expensive SPA test as a reliable indicator of sperm fertilizing capacity.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Andrology laboratory within In Vitro Fertilization Program.

Patient(s): Semen samples from 26 infertility couples were analyzed. Both, normal and male factor patients were included.

Intervention(s): Male partner screening with the HBA and the SPA tests.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Relationship between HBA and SPA test results.

Result(s): The data obtained in this study showed no statistically significant relationship between the HBA and SPA results. The mean HBA scores 76.3%, 61.3% and 76.8% were statistically not significantly different as compared to patients with negative (8) sperm capacitation index values.

Conclusion(s): The HBA is not predictive of the results of the SPA. Hence, if the SPA is a reliable indicator of the fertilizing capacity of human spermatozoa then the HBA is not and we do not suggest replacing SPA with HBA.

References:

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Assisted Reproduction (JECAR) Vol 7 (2010):2Published by The Sims Institute Press Ltd Dublin & New York 2010

Full article available in PDF format

JECAR (ISSN 1743-1050) is an independent peer-review, Open Access journal dedicated to research in reproductive endocrinology, infertility, bioethics and the advanced reproductive technologies. JECAR accepts selected papers in human reproductive medicine for publication, which become available for full-text download at no charge to readers. All JECAR content is accessioned by the U.S.National Library of Medicine (NLM/PubMed) upon publication and is permanently archived in PubMed Central.Editors-in-Chief:

•Prof. Gianpiero D.Palermo MD PhD (Cornell University, USA)

•Eric Scott Sills MD FACOG FACS (Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland)

Major underwriting for the Journal of Experimental & Clinical Assisted Reproduction (JECAR) is made possible by the generous support of benefactors committed to global medical education and The Sims Institute Press Ltd.

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