Sperm motility index: a quick screening parameter from sperm quality analyser-IIB to rule out oligo- and asthenozoospermia in male fertility study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sperm quality analyser (SQA)-IIB, a new automated sperm analyser, and to compare its results with those obta ined with a method based on the World Health Organization recommendations. Eighty-nine unprocessed semen samples and 53 selected sperm suspensions wer e analysed. Concentration, motility and morphology were evaluated using the routine laboratory method. The SQA-IIB measured the sperm motility index ( SMI) and estimated the previously mentioned parameters, In the imprecision assay a maximal coefficient of variation (CV) of 18.8% was found. A semen s ample with immunological factor showed a CV of 75.75%, which invalidates it s use for these types of samples. A good correlation was obtained between S MI and concentration of progressively motile spermatozoa (CPMS) (r = 0.87), and a fair correlation with the other parameters, There was no statistical ly significant correlation between both methods for normal sperm morphology . The sensitivity and specificity of the SMI test in relation to CPMS were 96 and 84% respectively, for an SMI threshold value of 160. The results obt ained make the SQA-IIB a good screening test to rule out oligozoospermia an d asthenozoospermia when studying the male factor in the sterility outpatie nt clinics, However, the results suggested that it is not a valid method to evaluate morphology.