It is an analytical technique to assess the male’s motile sperm cells count, it is needed to select the optimal assisted reproductive technique for the infertile couple. In this technique we wash and concentrate sperm cells, separating those of the seminal plasma. The objective is to select the motile sperm, removing the immotile and apoptotic ones, to use in later techniques: insemination or IVF/ICSI.

The preparation of seminal samples is a prerequisite for any assisted reproduction technique. Seminal plasma may contain infectious agents that have to be removed and also contains oxygen free radicals that oxidize sperm cells, shortening their lifespan. The gradient technique used in our laboratory is the only suitable technique for capacitating frozen samples, because it ensures the complete elimination of the cryoprotectant.