Abstract
Progressive motility is a vital functional characteristic of ejaculated human spermatozoa that governs their ability to penetrate into, and migrate through, both cervical mucus and the oocyte vestments, and ultimately fertilize the oocyte. A detailed protocol, based on traditional manual/visual methods, is provided for performing an accurate four-category differential count including the reliable identification of rapid progressive (grade “a”) spermatozoa—the most biologically, and hence clinically, important subpopulation. Thorough prior training and the use of a microscope fitted with a heated stage are both essential requirements for achieving accuracy and an acceptable uncertainty of measurement of no more than ±10%.
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Mortimer, D., Mortimer, S.T. (2013). Manual Methods for Sperm Motility Assessment. In: Carrell, D., Aston, K. (eds) Spermatogenesis. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 927. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-038-0_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-038-0_7
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