Using videotaped specimens to test quality control in a computer-assisted semen analysis system.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility of using semen samples previously recorded on videotape for intralaboratory and interlaboratory quality control of computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) systems.


METHODS
Blinded, controlled study.


METHODS
Pooled semen specimens from two normal human volunteers in an academic research environment.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Semen parameters from a videotape analyzed internally and by four external laboratories.


RESULTS
Preliminary experiments designed to examine intralaboratory variation by repeated analysis of semen samples recorded on videotape revealed some significant differences for every variable examined. When these data were analyzed by using the larger biologic error caused by subsampling, no significant differences were found for any of the variables examined. When either a standard set or the specific laboratories' sets of parameters were used to analyze the same videotaped semen specimen, no statistically significant differences were detected for sperm concentration for motility among the five laboratories after the biological error caused by subsampling was applied to results.


CONCLUSIONS
These data strongly suggest that videotaped semen specimens can serve as quality control for intralaboratory and interlaboratory testing of CASA equipment as long as the biologic error caused by subsampling is used to compare results.
Boone
W R
WR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Jones
J M
JM
Shapiro
S S
SS
D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D011786:Quality Control; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D014743:Videotape Recording