Quinn’s advantage fertilization medium enhances zona pellucida-induced acrosome reaction compared with human tubal fluid medium

The aim of this study was to compare sperm velocity, hyperactivation, zona pellucida (ZP) binding and ZP-induced acrosome reaction (AR) between Quinn’s advantage fertilization (QAF), human tubal fluid (HTF) and Ham’s F10 media. Semen samples were obtained from normozoospermic men and motile spermatozoa were prepared by gradient centrifugation (PureSperm). Unfertilized oocytes from clinical IVF were used for spermatozoa–oocyte interaction tests. Sperm velocity and hyperactivation were assessed using a Hamilton-Thorn motility analyser. When media were supplemented with human albumin, sperm motility and velocity and sperm binding were not significantly different between QAF and HTF. However, ZP-induced AR was significantly higher with QAF than HTF (42 ± 22 versus 21 ± 18, P < 0.001). Sperm velocity, hyperactivation and sperm binding were also significantly higher in QAF than Ham’s F10 media. Supplementation of media with either human serum or human albumin showed no difference in effect on all sperm test results. In conclusion, QAF medium significantly enhances ZP-induced AR which is essential for sperm penetration. Thus QAF appears to be a better medium than HTF for sperm fertilizing ability in conventional IVF.The aim of this study was to compare sperm velocity, hyperactivated motility, sperm binding and zona pellucida (ZP)-induced acrosome reaction (AR) between Quinn’s advantage fertilization (QAF) and human tubal fluid (HTF) and Ham’s F10 media. Semen samples were obtained from men with normal semen analysis results and all test results were compared in paired control samples between different media. When media were supplemented with human albumin, sperm motility, velocity and sperm binding were not significantly different between QAF and HTF. However, ZP-induced AR was significantly higher with QAF than HTF. Sperm velocity, hyperactivated motility and sperm binding were all significantly higher in QAF than Ham’s F10 media. Supplementation with either human serum or human albumin in media had no different effects on all sperm test results. In conclusion, Quinn’s advantage fertilization medium significantly enhances ZP-induced AR, which is essential for sperm penetration. Thus QAF appears to be a better medium than HTF for sperm fertilizing ability in conventional IVF.