Accuracy of the normal sperm morphology value by Sperm Quality Analyzer IIC: comparison with the strict criteria
TL;DR: The results indicate that SQA IIC might be used as an initial screening test for the evaluation of sperm morphology, however, sperm morphological assessment by the strict criteria should be performed in order to make decisions in planning strategies for the treatment of infertile couples.
Abstract: The aim of the present study is to investigate the accuracy of the normal sperm morphology value by Sperm Quality Analyzer IIC (SQA IIC), which was developed to provide a rapid and low-cost quantitative evaluation of semen quality. Normal sperm morphology was assessed using SQA IIC in comparison with that by the strict criteria in 62 semen samples. Normal sperm morphology value by SQA IIC was based on the studies of three traditional sperm parameters from over 4000 fresh, untreated semen samples, while the strict criteria was based on the method by Kruger et al. The mean +/- SD of percent normal morphology by SQA IIC and the strict criteria were 37.6 +/- 10.9% (range 15-52) and 19.9 +/- 8.2 (range 1-34), respectively. There was a significant correlation of the sperm morphology assessment between the two methods (r=0.454, p 30% normal morphology by SQA IIC, the positive predictive value and the negative predictive value of the 'normal' strict criteria were 79.6% (39/49) and 46.2% (6/13), respectively. These results indicate that SQA IIC might be used as an initial screening test for the evaluation of sperm morphology. However, sperm morphological assessment by the strict criteria should be performed in order to make decisions in planning strategies for the treatment of infertile couples.
Citations
More filters
[...]
TL;DR: Decreasing seminal plasma antioxidants levels, especially catalase and TAC, could have significant role in etiology of impaired sperm function and measurement of 8-Isoprostane may be used as a specific biomarker for assessing oxidative stress on sperm.
Abstract: There is growing evidence that damage to spermatozoa by reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in male infertility. The aim of the present study was to assess seminal plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), free 8-Isoprostane and activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in men with asthenozoospermia, asthenoteratozoospermia and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia compared with normozoospermic males. The patients consisted of 46 men with seminal parameters abnormalities. The patients were grouped into asthenozoospermic (n = 15), asthenoteratozoospermic (n = 16) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (n = 15). The control group consisted of 16 healthy males with normozoospermia. Catalase activity was measured by Aebi spectrophotometeric method. Levels of TAC and SOD were measured by commercially available colorimetric assays. Level of free 8-Isoprostane was assessed by commercially available enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method. Differences between groups were assessed using Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Coefficients of correlation were calculated using Spearman's correlation analysis. All hypothesis tests were two-tailed with statistical significance assessed at the p value < 0.05 level with 95% confidence intervals Levels of catalase and TAC were significantly lower in patients than the control group. No significant changes were seen in SOD activities. Levels of free 8-Isoprostane were significantly higher in patients than the control group. Furthermore, asthenozoospermic, asthenoteratozoospermic and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic groups had significantly lower values of catalase activity and TAC when compared to normozoospermic males. Levels of free 8-Isoprostane were significantly higher in all patients subgroups than the control group. Levels of catalase and TAC were positively correlated with sperm motility and morphology. Free 8-Isoprostane levels showed an inverse correlation with sperm motility and morphology. Decreasing seminal plasma antioxidants levels, especially catalase and TAC, could have significant role in etiology of impaired sperm function. Measurement of 8-Isoprostane may be used as a specific biomarker for assessing oxidative stress on sperm.
122 citations
Cites methods from "Accuracy of the normal sperm morpho..."
[...]
[...]
[...]
TL;DR: Spermatozoa from pathological samples may have higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), than spermatozoA from normozoospermic men, therefore, damage induced by lipid peroxidation would be higher in spermatozosa from pathology samples than those from normal men.
Abstract: Introduction The lipid composition of the sperm membrane has a significant effect on the functional characteristics of spermatozoa. Patients and methods In the present study, fatty acid composition of spermatozoa and seminal plasma levels of free 15-F 2t -Isoprostane and catalase were assayed in men with normozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, asthenoteratozoospermia, and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Results In spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic men only oleic acid levels showed a significant difference from normozoospermic men. In spermatozoa from asthenoteratozoospermic and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic samples all of the tested fatty acids were significantly higher than those from normozoospermic samples. Seminal plasma levels of catalase were significantly lower in all patients while levels of free 15-F 2t -Isoprostane were significantly higher in all patients compared with normozoospermic men. Discussion Spermatozoa from pathological samples may have higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), than spermatozoa from normozoospermic men. Therefore, damage induced by lipid peroxidation would be higher in spermatozoa from pathological samples than those from normozoospermic men.
84 citations
Journal Article•
[...]
TL;DR: Cutting seminal plasma antioxidant status especially catalase activity and TAC may have significant role in etiology of sperm abnormality and showed a positively significant correlation with progressively motile sperms and normal sperm morphology.
Abstract: Background: There is growing evidence that damage to spermatozoa by reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in male infertility. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the antioxidant status of seminal plasma by measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in men with asthenozoospermia, asthenoteratozoospermia and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia compared to normozoospermic males, and their correlations with seminal parameters. Materials and Methods: 46 men with seminal parameters abnormalities divided in three categories: asthenozoospermic (n=15), asthenoteratozoospermic (n=16) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (n=15), according WHO criteria, participated in the study. The control group consisted of 25 males with normozoospermia. Catalase activity was measured by Aebi spectrophotometeric method. Commercially available colorimetric assays were used for measuring SOD activity and TAC. Results: TAC evaluation showed significantly lower values in the total case group (n=46) versus control group (1.05±0.04 mmmol/ml vs. 1.51±0.07 mmol/ml, p<0.05). Catalase activity also showed significantly lower values in the total case group (n=46) versus control group (14.40± 0.93 U/ml vs. 21.33±1.50 U/ml). But this difference was not significant for SOD activity (5.31±0.56 U/ml vs. 6.19±0.83 U/ml). Both catalase activity and TAC in asthenozoospermic, asthenoteratozoospermic, oligoasthenoteratozoospermic subjects were significantly lower than normozoospermic males, but SOD activity did not show a significant difference between these groups. Both catalase activity and TAC showed a positively significant correlation with progressively motile sperms and normal sperm morphology, but these correlations with SOD activity were not significant. Conclusion: Decreasing seminal plasma antioxidant status especially catalase activity and TAC may have significant role in etiology of sperm abnormality.
46 citations
Cites methods from "Accuracy of the normal sperm morpho..."
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that men with morphologically normal spermatozoa of <30% have greater degree of protamine deficiency and DNA damage than men with morphology of >30% and evaluation of chromatin integrity appears to be a useful tool for assessing male fertility.
Abstract: Normal chromatin condensation is important for sperm fertilising ability. However, routine semen analysis does not identify defects in sperm chromatin structure. This study aimed to investigate the condensation of chromatin and DNA integrity in spermatozoa of infertile men and deduce the relationship with sperm quality, as measured by conventional semen parameters. Semen analysis was carried out to assess sperm quality according to World Health Organization criteria. The remaining aliquot of each sample was processed for transmission electron microscopy, chromomycin A3 (CMA3) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assays. The ultrastructural analysis of spermatozoa from infertile men showed heterogeneity in sperm nuclear morphology. Some spermatozoa displayed a round nucleus with incomplete chromatin condensation. Immunoreactivity with antitransitional protein and antiprotamine antibodies indicated nuclear maturation defects in the spermatozoa of infertile men. Spearman's correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between the percentages of CMA3- and TUNEL-positive spermatozoa. In addition, these two parameters were negatively correlated with sperm concentration, motility and normal morphology. This study demonstrated that men with morphologically normal spermatozoa of 30%. Evaluation of chromatin integrity appears to be a useful tool for assessing male fertility.
36 citations
Cites methods from "Accuracy of the normal sperm morpho..."
[...]
[...]
TL;DR: Sperm Quality Analyzer IIC variables well correlated with the CASA estimates, and as a screening test for semen quality, SQA IIC is considered as useful in the management of male infertility.
Abstract: Sperm Quality Analyzer (SQA) IIC, an upgrade version, is an inexpensive device and provides a quantitative estimation of sperm motility, whereas the use of computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) provides high precision and provision of quantitative data on sperm kinetics. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the SQA IIC variables correlated with the CASA estimates. Semen quality analysis of 71 fresh semen samples was performed using SQA IIC and CASA. Total sperm concentration, percentage of progressively motile sperm, percentage of normal morphology, motile sperm concentration, sperm motility index (SMI) and functional sperm count (FSC) determinations were performed using SQA IIC. Sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm motion variables including amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), beat cross frequency (BCF), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN=VSL/VCL), and straightness (STR=VSL/VAP) were evaluated simultaneously on the same semen samples using CASA. The sperm characteristics were compared between SQA IIC and CASA. There were significant correlations of sperm concentration (r=0.634, p < 0.0001), sperm motility (r=0.697, p < 0.0001), and motile sperm concentration (r=0.757, p < 0.0001) between the two devices. Both SMI and FSC significantly correlated with eight CASA estimates, including sperm concentration, sperm motility, motile sperm concentration, ALH, VCL, VSL, VAP, and Rapid. SQA IIC is simple and easy to use. Moreover, the SQA IIC variables well correlated with the CASA estimates. As a screening test for semen quality, SQA IIC is considered as useful in the management of male infertility.
30 citations
References
More filters
[...]
TL;DR: In this article, the authors conducted a prospective study in women with bilateral tubal damage to determine whether there is a prognostic value in the percentage normal sperm morphologic features in a human in vitro fertilization (IVF) program.
Abstract: To determine whether there is a prognostic value in the percentage normal sperm morphologic features in a human in vitro fertilization (IVF) program, the authors conducted a prospective study in women with bilateral tubal damage. Based on the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa, the patients were divided into four groups: group I, normal morphologic features between 0% and 14%; group II, 15% to 30%; group III, 31% to 45%; and group IV, 46% to 60%. One hundred ninety successful laparoscopic cycles were evaluated. In group I, 104 oocytes were obtained, of which 37% fertilized, but no pregnancy resulted; in group II, 81% of 324 oocytes were fertilized, with a pregnancy rate per embryo transfer (ET) of 22%; in group III, 82% of 309 oocytes were fertilized, with a 31% pregnancy rate; and in group IV, 91% of 69 oocytes were fertilized, with a pregnancy rate of 12%. Probability models indicated that there was a clear threshold in normal sperm morphologic features at 14%, with high fertilization and pregnancy rate in the groups with normal sperm morphologic features greater than 14%.
1,133 citations
[...]
TL;DR: By evaluating sperm morphology with the proposed strict criteria, its predictive value in in vitro fertilization is enhanced.
Abstract: In patients with acceptable sperm count and motility, two patterns of abnormal morphology, judged with strict criteria, were identified and described. Patients with less than 4% normal forms and less than 30% morphology index (summation of normal and slightly amorphous forms) had a fertilization rate of 7.6% of the oocytes (P pattern, poor prognosis). Patients with normal morphology between 4 and 14% had a significantly better fertilization rate of 63.9% of the oocytes (P less than 0.0001). Cases with greater than 14% normal forms fertilized within the normal range for the laboratory. By evaluating sperm morphology with the proposed strict criteria, its predictive value in in vitro fertilization is enhanced.
1,068 citations
[...]
TL;DR: The inclusion of an accurately evaluated normal sperm morphology count as an integral part of the standard semen analysis makes this analysis still the most cost-effective means of evaluating the male factor.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to conduct a structured review of the literature published on the use of normal sperm morphology, as an indicator of male fertility potential in the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) situation, and to establish the universal predictive value of this semen parameter. Published literature in which normal sperm morphology was used to predict fertilization and pregnancy, during the period 1978-1996, was reviewed. A total of 216 articles were identified by the sourcing methodology, but only 49 provided data that could be tabulated and analysed. Of these, only 18 provided sufficient data for statistical analysis. Fifteen studies used the strict criteria to evaluate sperm morphology, two used World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and one used both the strict criteria and the WHO guidelines. All the studies (n = 10) using the 5 and 14% normal sperm morphology thresholds (strict criteria) produced positive predictive values for IVF success. In the prediction of pregnancy, 82% (9/11) and 75% (6/8) of the studies produced positive predictive values when using the 5% and 14% thresholds respectively. Aggregating the data produced around the 5% normal sperm morphology threshold (strict criteria), the overall fertilization rates were 59.3% (1979/3337; per oocyte) for the 4% group, and the overall pregnancy rates were 15.2% (60/395; per cycle) and 26.0% (355/1368; per cycle) respectively. The no-transfer rates across the 5% threshold were 24.0% (86/359; per cycle) in the 4% group. The inclusion of an accurately evaluated normal sperm morphology count as an integral part of the standard semen analysis makes this analysis still the most cost-effective means of evaluating the male factor.
239 citations
[...]
TL;DR: The relationship of conventional semen parameters and the limits of these parameters for fertilization in vitro were analyzed from data over a 3-year period (1980 to 1982) as mentioned in this paper, where sperm motility was the single most important parameter determining the fertilization rate.
Abstract: The relationship of conventional semen parameters and the limits of these parameters for fertilization in vitro were analyzed from data over a 3-year period (1980 to 1982). Sperm motility was the single most important parameter determining the fertilization rate. Fertilization failed when the initial and final motilities were 60% abnormal spermatozoa, fertilization could be obtained. Sperm concentration in semen had no significant effect on the fertilization rate when the data were controlled for motility or abnormal sperm forms. The fertilization rate increased with reduced sperm numbers used for insemination in vitro but had no effect on the incidence of multiple pronuclei in oocytes.
225 citations
[...]
TL;DR: It was found that a low mean value of the amplitude of lateral sperm head displacement and an increased percentage of abnormal acrosomes were related to in-vitro fertilization failure.
Abstract: Two groups of men were retrospectively selected according to their observed success in in-vitro fertilization. Seminal and post-migration sperm samples from a low fertilization rate group (less than or equal to 33% cleaved embryos) have been compared to results obtained from a high fertilization rate group (greater than or equal to 66%). It was found that a low mean value of the amplitude of lateral sperm head displacement and an increased percentage of abnormal acrosomes were related to in-vitro fertilization failure. None of the individual sperm factors studied was found to determine in-vitro fertilization success with certainty; only when they were considered in combination was it possible to predict the likelihood of successful in-vitro fertilization of human oocytes.
217 citations