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Chapter 9 - Sperm Preparation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 February 2022

David Mortimer ,
Lars Björndahl ,
Christopher L. R. Barratt ,
José Antonio Castilla ,
Roelof Menkveld ,
Ulrik Kvist ,
Juan G. Alvarez  and
Trine B. Haugen
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 preparationsperm washingswim-updensity gradient centrifugation
Type
Chapter
Information
A Practical Guide to Basic Laboratory Andrology , pp. 194 - 217
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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