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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Fish Sperm Assessment Using Software and Cooling Devices
Published on: July 28, 2018
An attempt to improve standardization of sperm motility class assessment using the superimposed image analysis system
F Mazzilli1, M Delfino, N Imbrogno
1Unit of Andrology, Department of Medical Pathophysiology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. fernando.mazzilli@uniroma1.it
Aim:
An attempt was made to improve the standardization of sperm motility assessment.
Methods:
A computerized system based on image superimposition producing final image with a motion effect was employed. Numerical definition of straight-line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL) and linearity (LIN) related to these motility classes were made, at different frame/rates (20 frames/s, 30 frames/s and 60 frames/s).
Results:
At least 4 motility class categories were found to be necessary (instead of 3, WHO) for a valid assessment. According to the cut-offs suggested by the ROC curves, motility classes were defined as follows: Class 1 (straight progressive motility): VSL = or > 23 microm/s; LIN = or > 0.58 at 20 frames/s; LIN = or > 0.50 at 30 frames/s; LIN = or > 0.44 at 60 frames/s. Class 2 (straight slow motility): VSL > 10 microm/s and < 23 microm/s; LIN = or > 0.58 at 20 frames/s; LIN = or > 0.51 at 30 frames/s; LIN = or > 0.43 at 60 frames/s. Class 3 (progressive non straight motility): VSL > 10 microm/s; LIN < 0.58 at 20 frames/s; LIN < 0.51 at 30 frames/s; LIN<0.43 at 60 frames/s. Class 4 (non progressive motility): VSL <10 microm/s. A frame rate of 20 frames/s was found to be sufficient to distinguish sperm motility classes in standard semen analysis.
Conclusions:
The numerical definition of sperm motility classes may contribute towards standardization in the objective evaluation of sperm kinematics.
