title: Computer-aided evaluation of assessment of "grade a" spermatozoa by experienced technicians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine how well technicians assess progressively motile spermatozoa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparison of computerized and technician assessments of "grade a" spermatozoa.
  
  
  METHODS
  University fertility clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infertile men of barren marriages.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Threshold velocities of spermatozoa categorized as "grade a."
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ability of andrology technicians to distinguish "grade a" from "grade b" spermatozoa was examined monthly. Computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) provided the threshold velocities used by technicians to categorize "grade a" spermatozoa. The mean cutoff value for grades a/b (25.5 microm/s) was close to the designated velocity, but the cutoff for grades b/c sperm (9.9 microm/s) was higher. Cutoff values for "grade a" spermatozoa were significantly, positively, and linearly related with the mean velocity of spermatozoa obtained by CASA, and deviated from it in a systematic way. The percentage of "grade a" spermatozoa judged by technicians was poorly correlated with the percentage "grade a" indicated by CASA and the cutoff velocity of "grade a" spermatozoa depending on the overall sperm quality of the semen sample.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consideration should be given to replacing the subdivision of progressing spermatozoa into two categories with one of progressive spermatozoa, or the use of CASA to distinguish "grade a" sperm reliably should be insisted upon.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Münster Münster, Germany. TrevorG.Cooper@ukmuenster.de
authors.forename: Trevor G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Ching-Hei
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yeung
mesh_terms: D033441:Andrology / Q000592:standards*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology*