27 The sperm protamine mRNA ratio as a clinical parameter to estimate the fertilizing potential of men taking part in an ART program

main results and the role of chance: The sperm protamine mRNA ratio in normozoospermic men (0.98+ 0.3) differed significantly from that of ICSI patients (Munich 0.81+ 0.1; Wiesbaden 0.78+ 0.2; P , 0.001), while processed samples obtained from IVF patients revealed a normal protamine mRNA ratio (Hamburg 1.0+ 0.07; Shanghai 1.0+ 0.54). Normal protamine mRNA ratios were associated with a significantly higher total motile sperm count and a significantly higher percentage of progressively motile sperm. Sperm with a normal protamine mRNA ratio revealed a higher fertilization capacity (fc) in both IVF (53.6% of patients with fc . 80%; P ¼ 0.017) and ICSI (65.1% of patients with fc . 70%; P ¼ 0.028).