Acrobeads Test Using Monoclonal Antibody-Coated Immunobeads: Clinical Application

Acrosome-reacted sperm was examined in infertile and fertile males using the Acrobeads test. The Acrobeads score was significantly higher in fertile males than in infertile males with normal or abnormal seminal findings (p < .005 and p < .001, respectively). The Acrobeads score was 2 or more in all the fertile males, but 62% of the infertile males with abnormal seminal findings (p < .02). Therefore, a disturbance in the acrosome reaction is suggested to be one of the causes of decreased fertility potential. A high correlation was found between Acrobeads score and sperm motility (r = .46, p < .001) or motile sperm concentration (r = .51, p < .0001). The Acrobeads test, the results of which reflect the acrosome condition of the sperm, is useful in the assessment of sperm function related to fertility.