Sperm viability
Abbildung 1: Sperm viability as proven by laser. A viable sperm is shown after the application of a single laser shot. The laser shot caused a curling of the end of the sperm tail which is indicative for sperm viability. Nonviable sperm show no reaction of the sperm tail. Despite the curling of the sperm tail these sperm can be used for ICSI without any further treatment as the laser causes also a permeabilization of the sperm plasma membrane [15].


Keywords: single laser shot,  sperm

Sperm
Abbildung 2a-b: Comparison of digital enhanced high magnification image versus conventional Hoffman modulation contrast. This figure shows a picture of two sperm taken with a standard Hofmann 40× objective (A) and a 63× objective with a high numerical aperture and using Cytoscreen (B) a digital image enhancement software (Octax, Bruckberg, Germany). The presence of a small vacuole in the head of the right sperm as visualized by digital enhanced high magnification can be seen in the standard Hofmann contrast picture as a irregularity in the sperm head. Reprinted from [23].


Keywords: sperm,  vacuole

Sperm selection
Abbildung 3: Sperm selection by hyaluronic acid binding. The figure shows a dish where the lower right part is coated with hyaluronic acid. Sperm with hyaluronic acid binding sites attach to the coated part and are expected to be mature and suitable for ICSI. Spermatozoa at the upper left corner have not bound and are still motile. These sperm are immature and should not be used for ICSI.


Keywords: hyaluronic acid binding,  ICSI,  sperm