CORRELATION OF THE HYPOOSMOTIC SWELLING TEST, SEMEN SCORE AND THE ZONA-FREE HAMSTER EGG PENETRATION ASSAY IN HUMANS

The correlation between the hypo‐osmotic swelling test, the modified Eliasson score for human semen analysis and the hamster egg penetration assay was examined. The results showed a weak but significant correlation between the group of subjects with swelling rates below 50% and the above 80% group. These groups showed hamster egg penetration assay rates of 9±14% and 39±29%, respectively (P<0.035). A significant correlation was also found between modifed Eliasson scores (17±10 and 5±7, respectively) and swelling rates below 50% and above 70% (P<0.001). These results suggest that spermatozoa showing a low swelling rate have a poor fertilizing capacity. Therefore, the swelling tests and analysis of the patients semen can be used to discriminate sperm quality. Copyright © 1990, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved