Assessment of interlaboratory and intralaboratory sperm morphology readings with the use of a Hamilton Thorne Research integrated visual optical system semen analyzer

Objective: To evaluate the level of variance produced in a multicenter stud y with the use of a computer-assisted sperm morphology analyzer. Design: A multicenter, prospective, blinded study. Setting: Assisted reproduction research laboratories. Patient(s): Semen samples produced for assisted reproductive procedures. Intervention(s): Hamilton Thorne Research (Beverly, MA) integrated visual o ptical system semen analyzers were used at five different centers to evalua te the same set of 30 slides that were prepared and numerically coded at Ty gerberg Hospital in Tygerberg, South Africa. Main Outcome Measure(s): The percentage of normal sperm. Result(s): Interlaboratory coefficients of variation (CVs) ranged between 1 6.31% and 23.09%. One of the participating laboratories produced an approxi mately 14% (-6.5-7.7) limits of agreement analysis, with a CV of 11.36%, fo r its duplicate readings. The use of a 10% normal sperm morphology cutoff p oint to determine discordance levels produced rates ranging between 10% and 23.3% for the interlaboratory and intralaboratory readings. This level of discordance equates with less than or equal to 7 of the corresponding readi ngs from two laboratories. falling into a different normal sperm morphology group (less than or equal to 10% or >10%). Conclusion(s): The magnitudes of variation produced by the readings perform ed in our study reached the same level as for the manual evaluation of sper m morphology. A <10% CV can be obtained if the correct quality control meas ures are implemented. (C) 1998 by American Society for Reproductive Medicin e.