Acrosin profiles of human spermatozoa recovered from the new Sperm Prep II filtration column.

Twenty semen samples were collected and two aliquots of 1.5 ml were prepared from each sample. One sample of each pair (fraction-one) was used for evaluation of semen parameters and total acrosin activity of spermatozoa. The other sample of each pair (fraction-two) was mixed with an equal volume of Ham's F-10 medium and filtered through the Sperm Prep II. At the end of the filtration, the filtrate was pooled, sperm parameters were evaluated and total acrosin activity was assessed. Percentage of normal spermatozoa, sperm motility, and total acrosin activity of spermatozoa were significantly higher in the postfiltered fraction-two than in the fresh fraction-one. Considering the great importance of acrosin for fertilization, it is suggested that Sperm Prep II filtration method may be beneficial in preparing spermatozoa from infertile men with low acrosin profiles for assisted reproduction programs. Further studies will be necessary, however, in order to confirm this, since the present study concerned men with known fertility.