manual MedCalc Softw are

Introduction

Semen analysis is the cornerstone of functional evaluation of the male reproductive system and fertility. In most laboratories, semen analysis is performed with subjective methods and results depend on the skillfulness and judgment of the observer.

Up to now there has not been any widely available technology for reliable assessment of motility characteristics. Sophisticated and costly equipment has been developed to establish objective sperm analysis using image analysis techniques, which are time consuming, expensive and relatively inaccurate

(Comhaire et al., Objective semen analysis: has the target been reached?, Hum Reprod, 1992, 7:237-241;

Kamtchouing et al., Etude comparative entre trois méthodes d'analyse de sperme. Andrologie, 1991, 1:61-

64).

The AutoSperm method allows objective semen analysis using inexpensive equipment and fully validated technology. The following elements of semen analysis are accurately assessed: sperm concentration, % motility, motility grading (in agreement with the World Health Organization Laboratory Manual for the

Examination of Human Semen and Semen-Cervical Mucus Interaction, Cambridge University Press, 4th ed, 1999), concentration of grade (a), (b), (c) and (d) motile spermatozoa, as well as motility characteristics including velocity, linear velocity and linearity.

The data are acquired in less than 5 minutes per semen sample. The database can be configured to contain data of additional analyses.

The method has been proven accurate, reproducible and clinically useful (Hinting et al., Validation of a single step procedure for the objective assessment of sperm motility characteristics, Int J Androl, 1988,

11:277-287; Hinting et al., Capacity of objectively assessed sperm motility characteristics in differentiating between semen of fertile and subfertile men. Fertil Steril, 1988, 50:635-639).

Principle of the AutoSperm method

A zoom drawing tube is attached to the microscope. A digitizing tablet is placed next to the microscope.

A grid is placed on the tablet.

1

The zoom of the drawing tube is adjusted so that the sides of the grid correspond with 100

μm in the microscopic field.

The technician observes the spermatozoa in the visual field, together with the cursor on the grid. A motile cell is registered by following the movement of the cell with the cursor, for a short period of time, whilst keeping a button depressed. An immotile cell is registered by pressing a different button on the cursor.

After all cells in the grid have been registered, a third button is pressed and analyis continues on a different visual field.

The AutoSperm program analyses the data from the digitizing tablet.

When a sufficient number of spermatozoa have been registered, a summary report is displayed.

2