Importance of filter structure for the trans-membrane migration studies of sperm motility

Sperm migration through polycarbonate and nylon membrane filters was studied by the transmembrane migration ratio method. Sperm crossed the former filters but not the latter because of the greater pore length and complexity of the relatively thick nylon membrane. Adhesion of spermatozoa to the nylon structure was also observed. Using the polycarbonate filter we were able to correlate transmembrane migration with conventional motility and measure the effects of drugs on sperm motility.