Evaluation of three substitutes for Percoll in sperm isolation by density gradient centrifugation

Silane-coated silica particle solutions (ISolate(TM) and PureSperm)TM)) andiodixanol (OptiPrep(TM)) were compared to polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coatedsilica particles (Percoll(TM)) in their efficacy to recover spermatozoa bygradient centrifugation for use in assisted reproductive procedures.Efficacy was assessed in terms of percentages of sperm recovery, spermvitality and motility, normal sperm morphology and normal sperm chromatincondensation. No significant difference was found in the recovery ofspermatozoa for men with both normal sperm counts and oligozoospermia,between PVP-coated and silane-coated particle solutions. Iodixanol hadsignificantly lower sperm recovery compared to the other products. Spermvitality, progressive motility, normal morphology and normal chromatincondensation did not differ significantly between any of the spermisolation products.