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AcroScreen® Photometric Assay for Acrosin activity in Spermatozoa
Features
4-component kit
1-step 90-minute incubation
colorimetric result
protease control included
50 determinations per kit
Background
Acrosin is a sperm acrosomal protease that has an essential role in the fertilization process. Acrosin is released during the acrosome reaction. It has been shown to be involved in the subsequent binding of spermatozoa to the egg's zona pellucida and/or the penetration of spermatozoa through the zona pellucida. Low levels of acrosin appear to be associated with subfertility and infertility. Studies have further shown that total acrosin activity positively correlates with in vitro fertilization rates and a low acrosin activity in an otherwise normal ejaculate is associated with an impaired hamster egg penetration.
The acrosin activity of human ejaculates varies independently from the standard semen parameters such as sperm concentration, percent motility, sperm motion characteristics and morphology. Thus the enzyme may be an additional marker for human semen quality.
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50 determinations
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ftr-11
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CitricScreen® Photometric Method for detecting Citric Acid in Seminal Plasma
Features
3-component kit
1-step sample preparation
1-step immediate result
colorimetric result
citric acid control included
96 determinations per kit
Background
Citric acid is produced by the prostate gland and is found in seminal plasma. The determination of citric acid concentration in seminal fluid therefore provides information about the secretory function of the prostate.
Low levels of citric acid have been found in men with genital tract inflammation.
The evaluation of prostatic function may reveal instances of subclinical prostatitis which may decrease male fertility as well as expose the female partner to infection.
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96 determinations
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ftr-12
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FructoScreen® Photometric Method for detecting Fructose in Seminal Plasma
Features
5-component kit
1-step sample preparation
1-step 30-minute incubation
colorimetric result
fructose control included
96 determinations per kit
Background
Fructose is the major energy source for ejaculated spermatozoa. It is produced almost entirely in the seminal vesicles and is found in seminal plasma. The determination of fructose concentration in seminal plasma therefore can provide information about the secretory function of the seminal vesicles. It is especially important to test for fructose if there are no sperm present, that is, if the semen is azoospermic. The seminal vesicles are responsive to levels of circulating testosterone. Seminal fructose is low in patients with low androgen levels and/or with congenital absence of the vas deferens and/or seminal vesicles or possible blockage of the vas deferens.
There are many different methods for determining fructose in semen. The FructoScreen® uses a method recommended by the WHO and described in their Manual.
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96 determinations
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ftr-13
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Sperm Antibody IgG Positive/Negative
ControlsSperm Antibody (IgG) Controls Positive Serum containing antisperm antibodies of the IgG subclasses and Negative Serum with no detectable antisperm antibodies
Features
undiluted heat inactivated serum
stable
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2ml
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ftr-22
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Sperm Antibody IgA/IgG Serum Controls
Sperm Antibody (IgA/IgG) Controls Positive Serum containing antisperm antibodies of the IgA and IgG subclasses and Negative Serum with no detectable antisperm antibodies
Features
undiluted heat inactivated serum
stable
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2ml
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ftr-23
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LeucoScreen Cytochemical Stain for detecting Granulocytes in Semen
This staining method, based on a method described in the WHO Manual, detects the presence of the enzyme peroxidase in cells.
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50-300
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ftr-18
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MarScreen® Features
2-component kit
direct method performed on fresh unprocessed semen
built-in positive control
can be performed and analyzed in less than 10 minutes
uniform colored beads for easy-to-read results
improvement over SpermMarTM
only reagents available that detect IgA and IgM antibodies using the Mixed Agglutination Reaction
competitively priced
Background
There is considerable evidence that antibodies directed against sperm surface antigens exert a fertility-reducing effect. When antisperm antibodies are present, they bind to the surface of the sperm. Such sperm-bound antibodies may impair sperm movement, penetration of the cumulus and/or zona pellucida, the acrosome reaction, interaction of sperm and egg as well as identify the sperm for destruction by the immune system. It has also been suggested that sperm antibodies may exert an embryotoxic effect. Finally, there is evidence that antibody concentration is correlated directly with the severity of sperm functional impairment and inversely with potential fertilizability.
Because of the risks associated with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), many reproductive specialists screen sperm for anti-sperm antibodies before choosing the appropriate Assisted Reproductive Technology.
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MarScreen® IgA Bead method for the detection of Sperm-Reactive IgA Antibodies
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70
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ftr-19
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MarScreen® IgG Bead method for the detection of Sperm-Reactive IgG Antibodies
MarScreen IgG Beads and Antiserum mixed with sperm positive for antibodies.
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70
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ftr-20
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MarScreen® IgM Bead method for the detection of Sperm-Reactive IgM Antibodies
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70
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ftr-21
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ImmunoSpheres® Features
140 determinations per reagent
similar to the ImmunoBeadsTM Test(IBT)
improvement over IBT-- see comparison below
Background Information
There is considerable evidence that antibodies directed against sperm surface antigens exert a fertility-reducing effect. When antisperm antibodies are present, they bind to the surface of the sperm. Such sperm-bound antibodies may impair sperm movement, penetration of the cumulus and/or zona pellucida, the acrosome reaction, interaction of sperm and egg as well as identify the sperm for destruction by the immune system. It has also been suggested that sperm antibodies may exert an embryotoxic effect. Finally, there is evidence that antibody concentration is correlated directly with the severity of sperm functional impairment and inversely with potential fertilizability.
Because of the risks associated with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), many reproductive specialists screen sperm for anti-sperm antibodies before choosing an appropriate Assisted Reproductive Technology.
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ImmunoSpheres® IgA Bead method for the detection of Sperm-Reactive IgA Antibodies
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140
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ftr-14
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ImmunoSpheres7 IgG Bead method for the detection of Sperm-Reactive IgG Antibodies
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140
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ftr-15
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ImmunoSpheres7 IgM Bead method for the detection of Sperm-Reactive IgM Antibodies
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140
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ftr-16
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ImmunoSpheres 7 Ig(H&L) Bead method for the detection of Sperm-Reactive Heavy and Light Chains
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140
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ftr-17
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QC Beads™ Quality Control Beads 4ml of Hi and 4ml of Low concentration
Hi QC-Beads TM: 4 ml bead suspension of known concentration with 0.1% sodium azide. See Expected Values for the number of beads/ml. Ready to use.
Lo QC-Beads TM : 4 ml bead suspension of half the concentration of the Hi QC-Beads TM with 0.1% sodium azide. See Expected Values for the number of beads/ml. Ready to use.
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4ml/4ml
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ftr-24
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