Assessing the predictive value of hyaluronan binding ability for the freezability potential of human sperm

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of a sperm maturation test using the hyaluronan-binding assay (HBA) for freezability potential; and to determine the effect of freezing-thawing on HBA results. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Andrology laboratory at a teaching hospital. Patient(s): Candidates for sperm bank donation (n = 113) and active sperm bank donors (n = 16). Intervention(s): Semen analyses including HBA and sperm freezing-thawing. Main Outcome Measure(s): Percentage of sperm HBA results and other sperm parameters in relation to freezing thawing results. Result(s): The predictive value of HBA for high freezability value (>= 40% postthaw motility) was significant. However, 1- and 4-hour percentage of motility had a higher predictive value for good freezability. A better prognostic value than that of HBA results was also found for sperm concentration and percentage of normal morphology. Freezing-thawing had no significant influence on HBA results. Conclusion(s): To the best of our knowledge this is the first demonstration that sperm maturation, determined by the HBA test, has a low value for predicting freezing-thawing sperm survival. (Fertil Steril(R) 2010;93:154-8. (C)2010 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)