title: Comparison of three computer methods of sperm head analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Analysis of sperm heads using three different computer morphometrical tools and experimental conditions to find a more reliable and secure strategy among them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled experiments on sperm morphology analysis from volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laboratory of microscopy and imaging processing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten human semen samples donated by different zoospermic men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen samples were collected by masturbation after > or =72 hours of abstinence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spermatozoon head morphology was compared by the use of different video-microscopy systems, three computer programs, and various staining conditions and manipulation by different operators. Nonbiological material in the form of latex beads was also used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data obtained suggest that the semiautomatic computer program is the most reliable and secure method for performing sperm analysis, besides the fact that it is a fast process compared with manual methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computer systems of sperm analysis should incorporate a step of interactive object identification to work properly, allowing the operator to confirm or correct possible computer misidentification. The latex beads were used to confirm the capability of all three computer programs to correctly evaluate nonbiological material.
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Laboratório de Microscopia e Processamento de Imagens, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ariadne Rodrigues
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Goulart
authors.forename: Moema
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Alencar Hausen
authors.forename: Luiz Henrique
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Monteiro-Leal
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D012984:Software; D013077:Sperm Head / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013997:Time Factors