Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Experience with external quality control in spermatology.

T G Cooper1, A D Atkinson, E Nieschlag

  • 1Institute of Reproductive Medicine of the University, Münster, Germany.

Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|April 30, 1999
PubMed
Summary

External quality control for semen analysis improved accuracy in sperm concentration and normal form assessment. Harmonization of results was achieved through feedback and revised evaluation methods.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Live birth with sperm cryopreserved for 21 years prior to cancer treatment: case report.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2004
Same author

Semen cryopreservation, utilisation and reproductive outcome in men treated for Hodgkin's disease.

British journal of cancer·2002
Same author

Interpersonal testosterone transfer after topical application of a newly developed testosterone gel preparation.

Clinical endocrinology·2002
Same author

Pharmacokinetics of a new transdermal testosterone gel in gonadotrophin-suppressed normal men.

European journal of endocrinology·2002
Same author

Testosterone substitution of hypogonadal men prevents the age-dependent increases in body mass index, body fat and leptin seen in healthy ageing men: results of a cross-sectional study.

European journal of endocrinology·2002
Same author

The CAG repeat polymorphism in the androgen receptor gene affects bone density and bone metabolism in healthy males.

Clinical endocrinology·2002

Area of Science:

  • Andrology
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Laboratory Quality Assurance

Background:

  • External quality control (EQC) programs are crucial for standardizing laboratory procedures.
  • Semen analysis requires consistent and accurate assessment of sperm parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of an external quality control program for semen analysis.
  • To assess the agreement of laboratory results with designated reference values over time.
  • To identify and address sources of variability in semen analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Participation in a 3-4 year external quality control program (UK NEQAS).
  • Distribution of formalin-fixed semen samples and videotapes of spermatozoa.
  • Comparison of laboratory results with scheme averages and designated reference values.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Close agreement was achieved for sperm concentration with reference values.
  • Initial underestimation of normal sperm forms was corrected following a change in reference value derivation.
  • Bias in progressive sperm motility assessment was resolved through standardized grading criteria.

Conclusions:

  • EQC programs effectively harmonize semen analysis results between laboratories.
  • Feedback and reappraisal of subjective evaluations improve the accuracy of semen analysis.
  • Standardized methods enhance the reliability of sperm parameter assessments.