Wu Ch

Correlation of semen analysis and hypoosmotic swelling test with subsequent pregnancies

The hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test was evaluated in 40 men whose wives had no apparent fertility factors. Only one of 29 men with normal semen parameters had a surbnormal HOS test, and that couple failed to conceive compared to 27 of 28 with normal HOS test who did conceive. All five couples with husbands with subnormal semen parameters but with normal HOS tests achieved a pregnancy, but none of the three with abnormal HOS tests achieved a pregnancy. The results suggest that the HOS test might be of value in predicting which couples should be more patient despite low semen parameters.

False-positive human chorionic gonadotropin levels caused by a heterophile antibody with the immunoradiometric assay

A case of a false-positive test for the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin as performed by the immunoradiometric assay is described. Further studies revealed that this problem was secondary to a cross-reacting heterophile antibody.

First-trimester serum levels of the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin in a tubal molar pregnancy

A woman is described in whom the levels of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin were rising in a pattern consistent with a tubal pregnancy. A tubal molar pregnancy was found. Thus an early ectopic molar pregnancy is not distinguishable from a nontrophoblastic tubal pregnancy on the basis of human chorionic gonadotropin levels.

Evaluating Glass, Polystyrene, and Polypropylene Containers for Semen Collection and Sperm Washing

The effects of glass, polystyrene, and polypropylene containers on semen parameters as measured by Cell Soft computer-assisted semen analysis and hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) tests were assessed in unwashed specimens and again after sperm washing and swim-up procedures. A superiority in unwashed specimens was observed in glass versus polystyrene concerning velocity, motility percentage, and HOS testing (p less than 0.01). Also, superiority of glass versus polystyrene was demonstrated for linearity and ALH (p less than 0.05). Glass was only superior to polypropylene in categories of motility and HOS testing (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01, respectively). There was no category in which plastic was statistically superior to glass in the unwashed specimens. Concerning washed and swim-up specimens, there were no semen parameters in which there was any superiority demonstrated of either glass or plastic. Unless some future proof that the differences in semen parameters demonstrated in this study have no clinical significance, these data suggest that the collection of semen samples for sperm analysis or therapeutic use should be performed in glass containers.