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Journal ArticleDOI

Performance of the sperm quality analyser in predicting the outcome of assisted reproduction

01 Apr 1998-International Journal of Andrology (Int J Androl)-Vol. 21, Iss: 1, pp 41-46
TL;DR: The results indicate that the SQA allows for rapid evaluation of sperm characteristics and of the effectiveness of sperm preparation techniques, however, it is not superior to conventional semen analysis in predicting the outcome of assisted reproduction.
Abstract: The present study was undertaken to assess the relationship between the results of conventional semen analysis and the sperm motility index (SMI) as measured by the sperm quality analyser (SQA), and to evaluate these in relation to the fertilization and/or pregnancy outcome of assisted reproduction. SMI determinations and conventional semen analyses were performed on 223 samples from subfertile men in two laboratories in Leuven (n = 136) and Antwerp (n = 87), and on spermatozoa prepared on a Percoll gradient (n = 136) used for treatment of male factor infertility in 57 cycles of intrauterine insemination (IUI), 44 attempts at in vitro fertilization (IVF) and 31 attempts at intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). SMI values for native semen correlated significantly with sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Multiple regression analysis revealed sperm concentration after preparation, and the concentration of motile spermatozoa with normal morphology and SMI (before preparation) to be the independent determinants for SMI after preparation. SMI values were significantly higher after, than before, preparation (p < 0.0001). In regular IVF (n = 44) the percentage of fertilized oocytes correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with sperm motility (A + B%, r = 0.33), with the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology (r = 0.46) before preparation, with the values of SMI both before and after preparation (r = 0.54, r = 0.48), with sperm concentration (r = 0.34) and with the motile sperm concentration (r = 0.29) after preparation. For the occurrence of pregnancy (all treatment methods), comparison of areas under ROC curves (AURC) indicated motile sperm concentration after preparation, as well as SMI both before and after preparation, to have the highest AURC, with no significant difference between these values as far as predictive power was concerned. These results indicate that the SQA allows for rapid evaluation of sperm characteristics and of the effectiveness of sperm preparation techniques. However, it is not superior to conventional semen analysis in predicting the outcome of assisted reproduction.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Diluting dog semen samples to 50 x 10(6) ml(-1) with physiological saline solution and scanning 30 frames at a frame rate of 60 frames/s are the set-up parameters proposed to obtain objective and standardized canine semen motility results using the HTR Ceros 12.1.

116 citations


Cites background from "Performance of the sperm quality an..."

  • ...All these factors implicate an absolute need for objective [5,10,11] and standardized methods, both for practical and research purposes, which has led to the development of several semi-computerized and computerized measuring devices [11–15]....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Sperm cells at the spermiogenic and meiotic stages of development are more susceptible to heat stress, together with subtle changes in sperm head shape, which can be detected by FHA but not by conventional semen analysis.

93 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Sperm Motility Index (SMI), a numeric index provided by the SQA, was compared with the results obtained using a computer-aided sperm analyzer (Hamilton Thorn IVOS 10) and a positive significant correlation was established.

48 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Data suggest that a genetic component might be responsible for the observed sperm motility breed differences, although these differences were mostly non-significant for the different CASA parameters.
Abstract: Subjective microscopic sperm motility results have recently been demonstrated to differ between Holstein-Friesian (HF) and Belgian Blue (BB) bulls. However, such assessments are rather imprecise. In the present study, sperm motility was assessed objectively by means of the Hamilton Thorne CEROS version 12.2c computer-assisted sperm motility analyser (CASA), and differences between the BB and HF breed could also be demonstrated. Higher percentages of both totally (p < 0.0001) and progressively (p < 0.0001) motile spermatozoa were encountered in the HF breed compared with the BB breed. Furthermore, a lower kinetic efficiency of the BB spermatozoa, evidenced by a lower beat cross-frequency (p = 0.0007) combined with a higher lateral head displacement (p = 0.0015), was the basis for the lower velocity of BB sperm cells. Additionally, BB spermatozoa move less straight forward, resulting in a lower straightness (p < 0.0001). No sperm motility differences were observed between age groups within the BB breed. The breed differences were observed in the examined bull populations residing at AI centres, in Belgium for the BB bulls and in the Netherlands for the HF bulls. However, these bull populations are selected for fertility. A similar pattern was observed in an unselected bull population of both breeds, although these differences were mostly non-significant for the different CASA parameters. Nevertheless, these data suggest that a genetic component might be responsible for the observed sperm motility breed differences.

44 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results obtained make the SQA-IIB a good screening test to rule out oligozoospermia and asthenozoopermia when studying the male factor in the sterility outpatient clinics, however, the results suggested that it is not a valid method to evaluate morphology.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sperm quality analyser (SQA)-IIB, a new automated sperm analyser, and to compare its results with those obtained with a method based on the World Health Organization recommendations. Eighty-nine unprocessed semen samples and 53 selected sperm suspensions were analysed. Concentration, motility and morphology were evaluated using the routine laboratory method. The SQA-IIB measured the sperm motility index (SMI) and estimated the previously mentioned parameters. In the imprecision assay a maximal coefficient of variation (CV) of 18.8% was found. A semen sample with immunological factor showed a CV of 75.75%, which invalidates its use for these types of samples. A good correlation was obtained between SMI and concentration of progressively motile spermatozoa (CPMS) (r = 0.87), and a fair correlation with the other parameters. There was no statistically significant correlation between both methods for normal sperm morphology. The sensitivity and specificity of the SMI test in relation to CPMS were 96 and 84% respectively, for an SMI threshold value of 160. The results obtained make the SQA-IIB a good screening test to rule out oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia when studying the male factor in the sterility outpatient clinics. However, the results suggested that it is not a valid method to evaluate morphology.

31 citations


Cites methods from "Performance of the sperm quality an..."

  • ...There are several evaluations of the first model (Johnstonmotility index/sperm quality analyser et al., 1995; Shibahara et al., 1997; Mahmoud et al., 1998) comparing SMI parameter with the traditional parameters and the result of several assisted reproduction techniques....

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References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Three subpopulations of capacitating spermatozoa showing different patterns of motility could be distinguished visually: forward progressive, transition phase, and hyperactivated motility.
Abstract: Suspensions of seminal plasma-free human spermatozoa were prepared by swim-up from semen and studied using high magnification videomicrography after incubation under capacitating conditions for 1.5–2 h. Three sub-populations of capacitating spermatozoa showing different patterns of motility could be distinguished visually: forward progressive, transition phase, and hyperactivated motility. The purpose of this study was not to determine the relative proportions of spermatozoa in these three categories but to describe their movement characteristics. Manual track plotting and analysis allowed value derivation for the curvilinear, average path and straight-line velocities (VCL, VAP, and VSL respectively); for the three progression ratios of linearity (LIN = VSL ÷ VCL X 100), straightness (STR = VSL ÷ VAP X 100), and wobble (WOB = VAP ÷ VCL X 100); and also for the amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and the beat/cross frequency (BCF). Algorithms produced from these motion characteristics allowed distinctions to be made between cell motility patterns. Spermatozoa with straight-line velocity (VSL) ≥ 40 μm/s, linearity (LIN) ≥ 60% and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) < 5 μm were FP or non-hyperactivated. Tracks with curvilinear velocity (VCL) ≥ 100 μm/s, linearity (LIN) < 60% and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) ≥ 5 μm showed concomitants of hyperactivation. Classical hyperactivated tracks also showed straightness (STR) < 60% and straight-line velocity (VSL) < 30 μm/s.

165 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the reproducibility of assessment of sperm concentration, motility, and morphology was obtained for the same sample measured by different technicians (between or intertechnician variation) and for different samples assessed by each technician with time (within or intratechnician variation).

156 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Although in general the intra-technician variability was low, there were marked and clinically significant differences between observers when assessing the same semen sample, and Technicians should be recruited who have natural ability as observers.
Abstract: Intra- and inter-technician variability in assessing sperm motility by the methods recently advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO) were studied. The intra- and inter-technician variability in estimating sperm concentration and the intra-technician variability in assessing sperm morphology were also examined. Intra-technician variability in assessing sperm motility appeared to be related to the natural ability and/or training of the observer. Although in general the intra-technician variability was low, there were marked and clinically significant differences between observers when assessing the same semen sample. There was no significant difference between observers in the assessment of sperm concentration, and intra-technician variability was low. When assessing sperm morphology, the intra-technician variability was potentially large (above a level of 20% morphologically ideal spermatozoa). Technicians should be recruited who have natural ability as observers. Quality control appears to be an essential exercise for any center that plans to relate semen parameters to fertility outcome.

107 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The improved Neubauer hemocytometer is the standard for sperm counting, though disposable chambers give reliable results as well; if beads are used to evaluate the accuracy of counting chambers, it is recommended to dilute them with seminal plasma.

86 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The sperm motility index provides a reliable and objective reflection of semen motility parameters and quality and represents semen quality assessment obtained by two experienced andrologists.

68 citations

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These results indicate that the SQA allows for rapid evaluation of sperm characteristics and of the effectiveness of sperm preparation techniques.