Sperm motility index: a quick screening parameter from sperm quality analyser-IIB to rule out oligo- and asthenozoospermia in male fertility study

Does exposure to inhalation anesthesia gases change the ratio of X-bearing sperms and Y-bearing Sperms? A worth exploring project into an uncharted domain

According to recent surveys performed in United States and India, anesthesia care providers were observed to have sired female offspring in a higher proportion than male offspring as their firstborn progeny; however, the reasons for the skew are not clear. Our hypothesis is that the underlying biological evidence may be elucidated by unraveling differences (if any) between the concentrations of X-bearing sperms and Y-bearing sperms in the semen samples obtained from males exposed to varied levels of anesthetics in their lifetimes. Therefore, the objectives of the envisaged study would be to conduct a three-stage investigative study on in-vitro human semen samples to determine (a) X-bearing sperms and Y-bearing sperms concentrations' ratio in male pediatric anesthesia care providers' semen samples, (b) changes in X-bearing sperms and Y-bearing sperms concentrations' ratios between the pre-rotation and post-rotation semen samples of male medical student volunteers/observers, and (c) changes in X-bearing sperms and Y-bearing sperms concentrations' ratios between the pre-operative and post-operative day-3 semen samples of male patients presenting for outpatient procedures under inhalational anesthesia. The expected outcomes would be (a) linear and positive correlation of the anesthetic gas usage (exposure) with increased X-bearing sperms/Y-bearing sperms ratio in post-anesthesia day 3 sample as compared to the baseline preoperative sample, (b) linear and positive correlation of the anesthetic gas usage (exposure) with increased X-bearing sperms/Y-bearing sperms ratio in post-rotation sample as compared to the baseline sample, and (c) observation of high X-bearing sperms/Y-bearing sperms ratio in the pediatric anesthesia care providers. In summary, effects (if any) of occupational or personal exposure to inhalational anesthetic gases on the X-bearing sperms and Y-bearing sperms ratio is a worthy project wherein lots of questions that have arisen over decades could find the path to their definitive answers, based on envisaged laboratory investigations into this uncharted domain.

Double-blind prospective study comparing two automated sperm analyzers versus manual semen assessment

PURPOSE

Despite controversy regarding its clinical value, male fertility investigation mainly relies on semen analysis. Even though reference guidelines are available, manual sperm analysis still suffers from analytical variability, thus questioning the interest of automated sperm analysis systems. The aim of this study is to compared automated computerized semen analysis systems (SQA-V GOLD and CASA CEROS) to the conventional manual method in terms of accuracy and precision.

METHODS

We included 250 men in this double-blind prospective study. The SQA-V GOLD (Medical Electronic Systems) and CEROS, CASA system (Hamilton Thorne) were compared to the standard manual assessment based on the WHO 5th Edition. The main outcome measures were sperm concentration, total sperm number, total motility, progressive motility, non-progressive motility, morphology, motile sperm concentration (MSC) and progressively motile sperm concentration (PMSC) with the three methods.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis of the test results from the automated systems and the manual method demonstrated no significant differences for most of the semen parameters. The Spearman coefficients of rank correlation (rho) for CASA and the SQA-V GOLD automated systems vs. the manual method were: Sperm concentration (0.95 and 0.95), total sperm number (0.95 and 0.95), MSC (0.94 and 0.96) and PMSC (0.94 and 0.93) correspondingly. Concerning sperm morphology, both automated systems demonstrated high specificity (Sp) and negative predictive values (NPV), despite significantly different medians (CASA: 83.7 % for Sp and 95.2 % for NPV, SQA-V: 97.9 % for Sp and 92.5 %). The highest precision (lowest 95 % confidence interval for duplicate tests) for all semen variables was found in the SQA-V GOLD.

CONCLUSIONS

The advantages of using automated semen analysers are: Standardization, speed (lower turnaround time), precision, reduced potential for human error, automated data recording and less need for highly skilled professionals to run the systems. The disadvantages of using automated systems are: notably the problem with testing some atypical samples and the inability to perform an assessment of morphology abnormalities. Based on the results of this study, the SQA-V Gold demonstrated better agreement vs. the manual method. In conclusion, automated semen analyzers can be used for routine semen analysis providing rapid clinically acceptable results with higher precision, and positively impacting laboratory standardization.

Effects of green tea polyphenol on the quality of canine semen after long-term storage at 5°C

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of green tea polyphenol on the quality of canine semen after long-term storage at 5°C. The supplementation of a Tris-egg yolk extender with polyphenol (0.5, 0.75, or 1mg/mL) increased the motility and viability of sperm preserved for four weeks at 5°C.

Identification of proteomic differences in asthenozoospermic sperm samples

BACKGROUND

Asthenozoospermia is one of the most common findings present in infertile males, but its aetiology remains unknown in most cases. Present proteomic tools now offer the opportunity to identify proteins which are differentially expressed in asthenozoospermic semen samples and potentially involved in infertility.

METHODS

We compared the expression of 101 sperm protein spots in 20 asthenozoospermic samples to that of 10 semen donor controls using two-dimensional proteomic analysis.

RESULTS

Seventeen protein spots have been identified at different amounts in the asthenozoospermic samples compared with controls. These are cytoskeletal actin-B, annexin-A5, cytochrome C oxidase-6B, histone H2A, prolactin-inducible protein and precursor, calcium binding protein-S100A9 (2 spots), clusterin precursor, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase precursor, fumarate hydratase precursor, heat shock protein-HSPA2, inositol-1 monophosphatase, 3-mercapto-pyruvate sulfurtransferase/dienoyl-CoA isomerase precursor, proteasome subunit-PSMB3, semenogelin 1 precursor and testis expressed sequence 12. The detected amount of these proteins enabled the grouping of asthenozoospermic sperm samples in an unsupervised clustering analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified several proteins present at different amount in asthenozoospermic sperm samples. These proteins could be candidates towards the development of diagnostic markers, and open up the opportunity to gain further insight into the pathogenic mechanisms involved in asthenozoospermia.

Measuring mouse sperm parameters using a particle counter and sperm quality analyzer: A simple and inexpensive method

This study examined a method for analyzing the count, motility, and morphology of mouse epididymal sperm, optimizing the diluent, incubation time, sample concentration, and temperature, using a particle counter (CDA-500) to count and size sperm and a sperm quality analyzer (SQA-IIC) to measure sperm motility, quantified as the sperm motility index (SMI). The optimal conditions consisted of a 30-min incubation in D-MEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium; considering cost and availability) at 37 degrees C, with 5 x 10(6)cells mL(-1) in the original solution. Furthermore, the influence of formalin fixation, and the correlation between the automated counter and a manual method were investigated. The sample fixation had no marked effect on the sperm count or morphology assessment. A linear correlation was observed between the manual and automated methods (y=0.920x +0.276; r(2)=0.571; p<0.001; range: (3-6) x 10(6)). The suitability of the proposed method was confirmed using spermatozoa prepared from mice treated with the reproductive toxin diethylstilbestrol (DES). Using sperm from the cauda epididymidis on one side per mouse, we confirmed that measurement of these sperm parameters using the two devices was simple, rapid, inexpensive, and reproducible.

Usefulness of sperm quality analyzer-V (SQA-V) for the assessment of sperm quality in infertile men

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of new of Sperm Quality Analyzer (SQA-V) with the computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and manual semen analysis estimates. One hundred five fresh semen samples were analyzed using SQA-V and CASA and manual semen analysis. Significant correlations of sperm concentration (p < 0.0001), sperm motility (p < 0.0001), and normal morphology (p < 0.0001) were observed between SQA-V variables and manual semen analysis estimates. There also were significant correlations of sperm concentration (p < 0.0001), sperm motility (p < 0.0001), and sperm velocity (p = 0.0235) between SQA-V variables and CASA estimates. Meanwhile, it did not correlate with amplitude of lateral head displacement, beat cross frequency, lineality assessed by CASA. The value of the sperm concentration and the sperm motility measured by SQA-V showed high correlations with the value of those measured by CASA and manual semen analysis. In addition, velocity and sperm morphology may also be evaluated to some extent using SQA-V.

Validation and Usefulness of the Sperm Quality Analyzer (SQA II-C) for Bull Semen Analysis

In this study, an upgrade version of the Sperm Quality Analyzer (SQA), the SQA-IIC was tested for the assessment of bull semen quality. In Expt 1, the device showed good repeatability of measurements within and between capillaries, as evidenced by the low coefficients of variation (CVs; < 13%) at concentrations between 35 and 705 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml. In Expt 2, 10 semen concentrations (1-1000 x 10(6)/ml) were stored in HEPES TALP for 48 h at room temperature. A time-dependent decrease in sperm motility index (SMI) values was noticed. SMI values increased linearly with increasing sperm concentrations, but remained constant around 500, corresponding to a concentration of approximately 50 x 10(6)/ml. For sperm concentrations below 50 x 10(6)/ml, SMI values were highly correlated with concentration (p < 0.05) and with semen parameters, expressing the overall semen quality (p < 0.05; Expt 3). In Expt 4, a correlation of only 0.44 (p < 0.05) between SMI values of frozen-thawed semen samples of 35 bulls and the corrected 56-day non-return rate (56dNRRc) was found. Prediction of the 56dNRRc based on the SMI value of a semen sample was inaccurate. The present study indicates that the SQA-IIC is suitable for a rapid screening of bull semen diluted to a concentration of approximately 50 x 10(6)/ml. Furthermore, the device seems inappropriate for fertility prediction.

Assessment of sperm quality analyzer II B: comparison with manual semen analysis and CASA

Two hundred and seven patients with male infertility were investigated. Total sperm concentration and percent progressive motility by SQA IIB showed high correlations with those of conventional manual method. Percent of normal morphology showed a significant correlation among these techniques. The sperm motility index (SMI) and total functional sperm concentration (TFSC) demonstrated high correlations with any variables of manual analysis. Only velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement showed significant correlations with the variables obtained by SQA IIB, especially with SMI and TFSC. It was suggested that SQA IIB could be a useful instrument in the clinical practice of infertility as a screening test for semen quality.

Accuracy of sperm velocity assessment using the Sperm Quality Analyzer V

Aim:  The correct diagnosis of the functional capacity of human sperm is limited. The Sperm Quality Analyzer (SQA) with the visualization system (SQA V, Medical Electronic System, Hatavorzo, Israel), an upgraded version of SQA, was recently developed to provide a rapid and low-cost quantitative evaluation of sperm quality as well as sperm velocity assessment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the SQA V's new parameters correlate with computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) estimates. Methods:  Semen quality analysis of 66 fresh samples was determined using SQA V and CASA. Results:  There were significant correlations of total sperm concentration (P < 0.001), sperm motility (P = 0.145), and percentage of progressive motile sperm (P = 0.001), between the SQA V variables and the CASA estimates. The sperm velocity assessed by SQA V was significantly correlated with some of the CASA estimates, including sperm motility (P = 0.001), the percentage of progressively motile sperm (P < 0.001), straight-line velocity (P < 0.001), curvilinear velocity (P < 0.001) and average path velocity (P < 0.001). However, it did not correlate with amplitude of lateral head displacement, beat cross frequency, straightness, or linearity, assessed by CASA. Conclusion:  Assessment of sperm motility has been shown as one of the important factors to predict the functional capacity of human sperm. On the basis of the present study, SQA V is considered useful for screening sperm quality in the management of male infertility. (Reprod Med Biol 2003; 2: 151-157).

Use of the Sperm Quality Analyzer (SQA II-C) for the assessment of dog sperm quality

In the present study, an automated system for sperm analysis, the Sperm Quality Analyzer (SQA II-C), was tested as a potential tool for the assessment of dog sperm quality. In the first experiment the device displayed a good repeatability of measurements for semen of medium and high quality, as evidenced by a low coefficient of variance (CV; 0.08), whereas a high CV (0.46) was obtained for one dog with semen of inferior quality. In the second experiment, seven different sperm concentrations (25-300 x 106/ml), obtained by dilutions in Hepes-TALP medium were stored for 48 h at room temperature. A concentration dependent increase in sperm motility index (SMI) was shown, reaching a plateau at 150 x 106 spermatozoa/ml. For all sperm concentrations, the SMI value decreased significantly after 24 h, indicating the importance of sperm motility for SMI values. For sperm concentrations lower than 150x106/ml, highly significant correlations [r=0.80;p<0.05] were established between SMI values on one hand and sperm concentration, and semen parameters expressing the overall semen sample quality on the other hand (experiment 3) while non-significant or low correlations were found between SMI values and other individual sperm parameters. In experiment 4, significantly high correlations (r=0.97) were found between mean SMI values and post-thaw motility and progressive motility assessed subjectively. In conclusion, our study indicates that both motility and concentration largely influence SMI values and that the SQA II-C saturates at 150 x 106 fresh spermatozoa/ml. In our opinion, the SQA II-C may be a useful and objective device to assess the post-thaw motility of dog sperm.

Accuracy of the normal sperm morphology value by Sperm Quality Analyzer IIC: comparison with the strict criteria

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 < 0.001). Using the cut-off value of >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.

Comparison of the Sperm Quality Analyzer IIC variables with the computer-aided sperm analysis estimates

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.