Clinical applications of flow cytometric sperm analyses

Animal andrology has benefitted by flow cytometry use (to analyze various sperm components). Examples include its use to explore DNA intactness, to sort sperm for chromosomal sex, or to explore via suitable fluorophores the functional intactness of essential attributes (e.g. plasma membrane). These explorations can provide the clinician with evidence of the extent of cell death, a major variable in using semen for breeding. Such gains have evolved over the past decade(s) through the production of versatile markers, including biomarkers, the design of simpler protocols, and the availability of more user-friendly and less expensive bench-flow cytometers. The present review summarizes the current state of flow cytometry use within animal andrology. It attempts to be critical of research gains, separating them for clinical relevance and focusing on its use to examine the early events that occur in the labile sperm plasma membrane (leading to cell death) – a most relevant marker for clinical decisions during diagnosis and prognosis of fertility when using ejaculated sperm (either unprocessed or processed) for cooling, freezing, or sperm sorting for in vitro fertilization or artificial insemination.