Abstract
A functional membrane is requisite for the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa, as it plays an integral role in sperm capacitation, acrosome reaction, and binding of the spermatozoon to the egg surface. The hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test evaluates the functional integrity of the sperm’s plasma membrane and also serves as a useful indicator of fertility potential of sperm. The HOS test predicts membrane integrity by determining the ability of the sperm membrane to maintain equilibrium between the sperm cell and its environment. Influx of the fluid due to hypo-osmotic stress causes the sperm tail to coil and balloon or “swell.” A higher percentage of swollen sperm indicates the presence of sperm having a functional and intact plasma membrane. Here, we present the detailed protocol for performing the HOS test and explain the results for interpretation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Jeyendran RS et al (1984) Development of an assay to assess the functional integrity of the human sperm membrane and its relationship to other semen characteristics. J Reprod Fertil 70:219–228
Schrader SM et al (1986) Sperm viability: a comparison of analytical methods. Andrologia 18:530–538
Van der Ven HH et al (1986) Correlation between human sperm swelling in hypoosmotic medium (hypoosmotic swelling test) and in vitro fertilization. J Androl 7:190–196
Jeyendran RS et al (1992) The hypoosmotic swelling test: an update. Arch Androl 29:105–116
Hossain A et al (2010) Spontaneously developed tail swellings (SDTS) influence the accuracy of the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOS-test) in determining membrane integrity and viability of human spermatozoa. J Assist Reprod Genet 27:83–86
Verheyen G et al (1997) Comparison of different hypo-osmotic swelling solutions to select viable immotile spermatozoa for potential use in intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Hum Reprod Update 3:195–203
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this protocol
Cite this protocol
Ramu, S., Jeyendran, R.S. (2013). The Hypo-osmotic Swelling Test for Evaluation of Sperm Membrane Integrity. In: Carrell, D., Aston, K. (eds) Spermatogenesis. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 927. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-038-0_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-038-0_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-037-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-038-0
eBook Packages: Springer Protocols