Purpose: The bioassay used by most IVF units to assess culture media is the mouse embryo test. The limitations of this assay are well known. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the in vitro bioassay potential of rodent sperm, in terms of relative sensitivities to endotoxins, and to compare the results with the routine mouse embryo and human sperm tests.
Results: The greater sensitivity of rodent sperm than of mouse embryos was evident in this study. A further advantage in using the mouse sperm test was the time (4-6 hr) in which endotoxins could be detected.
Conclusion: This rapid sperm test proved to be inexpensive, convenient, and invaluable for detecting potential sources of cytotoxicity.