Comparison of two methods for the measurement of sperm concentration.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy of both the hemocytometer and the MicroCell, to evaluate which method is the most reliable, and to confirm the accuracy of latex beads as an internal standard.


METHODS
Prospective procedural assessment.


METHODS
University-based infertility clinic.


METHODS
One hundred sixty-five male sexual partners of women undergoing screening for infertility.


METHODS
Semen analysis.


METHODS
Sperm and latex bead concentrations.


RESULTS
Sperm concentration values obtained with the hemocytometer were highly correlated with those obtained from the MicroCell (r = 0.88). The mean value of the latex beads concentration was closer to the standard value using the hemocytometer than the MicroCell.


CONCLUSIONS
Both the hemocytometer and the MicroCell are suitable as screening techniques to measure sperm concentration. Fixed suspensions of latex beads serve as reliable internal quality control standards.
Sokol
R Z
RZ
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA. rsokol@hsc.usc.edu
Shulman
P
P
Paulson
R J
RJ
D003584:Cytological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012015:Reference Standards; D012099:Reproductive Techniques; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric