ASSESSMENT OF THE SPERM QUALITY ANALYZER

Objective: To assess the relationship between the results of the Sperm Quality Analyzer (United Medical Systems Inc., Santa Ana, CA), which measures motile sperm concentration by light scattering, conventional manual semen analysis characteristics, and computer-assisted sperm mot ility analyses. Design: Sperm Quality Analyzer measurements and manual and computer-assisted semen analyses were performed on 150 (50, 62, a nd 38) samples in three laboratories and the results were compared. Se tting: The study was performed in the Andrology Laboratory of Prince H enry's Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, and Andro logy Laboratory and Reproductive Biology Unit at the Royal Women's Hos pital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Patients: Patients presented to the laboratories for routine fertility evaluation in the male and wer e selected at random to reflect the range of normal and abnormal sampl es seen in the laboratories. Interventions: None. Main Outcome Measure s: Sperm count, motility (percent motility, motility index, velocity, and amplitude of lateral head displacement [ALH]), morphology, and nor mal acrosomes were evaluated by manual and computer-assisted semen ana lysis and sperm quality analyzer motility index. Results: Spearman non parametric univariate analysis showed strong correlations between sper m motility index and manual sperm concentration, motility, abnormal mo rphology, and normal acrosomes by Pisum sativum agglutinin; and comput er-assisted sperm motility analysis sperm concentration, motile concen tration, and percent static. Curvilinear velocity, straight-line veloc ity (VSL), and linearity also were related significantly to sperm moti lity index values. By multiple regression analysis, the significant co variates of the sperm motility index were motile sperm concentration, abnormal morphology, ALH, and straight-line velocity and these account ed for 85.5% of the variance of the sperm motility index. Conclusions: The Sperm Quality Analyzer is easy to use. The good correlation betwe en the sperm motility index, motile sperm concentration, and, in addit ion, a number of other semen parameters supports the use of the Sperm Quality Analyzer for screening patients and in situations that warrant a rapid verification of semen quality, such as in the IVF or artifici al insemination clinic. Further investigation of the Sperm Quality Ana lyzer in the management of male infertility is warranted.