COMPUTER-AIDED SEMEN ANALYSIS VARIABLES AS PREDICTORS OF MALE-FERTILITY POTENTIAL

A computer-aided semen analysis (CASA) was used to allow digitizing th e motion of the spermatozoon. This procedure allows an objective means of judging semen quality, especially the translational movements of s permatozoa. Forty-three couples were included in the study. The averag e age of the male was 35.5 +/- 4.7 years and that of the female was 32 .7 +/- 4.7 years. The average duration of infertility was 3.8 +/- 2.3 years. Using multiple linear regression analysis of 26 prognostic vari ables, a cluster of 8 variables significantly predicted pregnancy maxi mally. The 8 variables and the resultant multiple correlation coeffici ents were used to generate a multiple regression equation which allowe d the correct separation of the population into fertile and infertile couples. The mean pregnancy predictor values of the fertile and infert ile populations were significantly different using the analysis of var iance.