Flow-cytometric analysis of membrane integrity of stallion sperm in the face of agglutination: the “zombie sperm” dilemma

ConclusionFlow cytometry assesses only individualized sperm; thus, agglutination of viable sperm alters recorded membrane integrity. As viable sperm become immotile, they individualize; therefore, factors that decrease motility, such as A23187, result in increased measured MI. Disaggregation before assessment allows more accurate determination of sperm membrane status; in this case we documented a mismatch between motility and live acrosome-reacted equine sperm that may relate to the poor repeatability of A23187 treatment for equine IVF. These findings are of profound value to future studies on sperm capacitation.
Source: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research