Adequacy of hyaluronan binding assay and a new fertility index derived from it for measuring of male fertility potential and the efficacy of supplement therapy

Summary The aim of the study was to statistically prove that the HBA® test is an efficient practical method for andrologists to determine the fertility potential as well as to measure the efficiency of oral supplement therapy in case of male infertility. In the study, 175 patients were involved and it also included the follow‐up studies of 39 patients after supplement therapy. Completing the ‘classic’ spermatological parameters with the results of HBA® test, the authors have also determined a new fertility index to be used for practical rating of the measure of fertility potential. After the supplement therapy, both sperm density and hyaluronan binding capacity increased significantly. The authors are convinced that the HBA® analysis is an objective, standardisable test, which provides a better approach to fertility potential. This analysis enables us to detect spermatozoa that were previously misjudged as normal by morphological assay and also makes the efficiency of the therapy more measurable.