title: Comparison of the Sperm Quality Analyzer IIC variables with the computer-aided sperm analysis estimates.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jichi Medical School, Kawachi-gun, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shibahara
authors.forename: Hiromichi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsunoda
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirano
authors.forename: Akiyo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taneichi
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Obara
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takamizawa
authors.forename: Ikuo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*