The efficiency of Zeta method in separation of sperm

Selection of mature sperm with normal morphology and chromatin structure is needed for assisted reproduction technology (ART) procedures. At present, various sperm separation methods exist to select mature sperm. The selection of mature sperm based on electrical charge of membrane is one of these methods. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the Zeta potential for selection of normal sperm in term of morphology and chromatin structure integrity.

In this descriptive-analytical study, semen samples from 70 infertile couples referring to Isfahan Fertility and Infertility center were evaluated. Semen analysis was carried out according to WHO criteria. The remaining of semen samples were used for Zeta method. Then Sperm morphology, protamine deficiency and DNA fragmentation were assessed using papanicolaou staining, chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining, and sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, respectively. In addition, we compared the result of Zeta group with control group. Coefficients of correlation and paired-samples t-test were carried out using SPSS 11. 5, to compare results among between two groups.

The results of this study show that the mean of abnormal morphology٫ protamine deficiency and DNA fragmentation were 88. 19±7. 37, 67. 17±17. 34, 32. 87±8. 65 in control group, and 80. 17±10. 26, 58. 40±18. 20, 18. 19±8. 64, in the Zeta group, respectively. Zeta group can decrease significantly the percentage of abnormal morphology, protamine deficiency and DNA fragmentation compared to control group (P<0. 05).

Zeta method can be used in separation of mature sperm with normal morphology, normal protamine contained and intact DNA.