Sperm motility, velocity and migration.
Four different methods for evaluating sperm motility were analysed for experimental error: subjective assessment of a wet film preparation, sperm velocity measured by time-lapse photography, sperm velocity measured by computer analysis and sperm migration across a nucleopore membrane. Subjective assessment of motility was found to be inaccurate, within single observer and between 2 observers. Both methods of measuring mean sperm velocity were accurate, particularly that using the computer analysis system; a high technical failure rate was found using time-lapse photography. Sperm migration across a nucleopore membrane was found to be highly inaccurate. Two groups were then analysed for the predictive value of these tests (excluding sperm migration): 104 proven fertile men and 53 infertile men. Although subjective motility was able to predict from which group the sample came at optimum cut-off with 78% accuracy, computer analysed sperm velocity could predict with overall 91% accuracy at optimum cut-off. Computer analysis of sperm velocity offers a rapid, objective and predictive assessment of sperm function.
Badenoch
D F
DF
Department of Urology, London Hospital.
Moore
H D
HD
Holt
W V
WV
Evans
P R
PR
Sidhu
B S
BS
Evans
S J
SJ
D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D010781:Photography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013081:Sperm Motility; D014743:Videotape Recording