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Double-blind prospective study comparing two automated sperm analyzers versus manual semen assessment
J Lammers1, C Splingart, P Barrière
1Service de Médecine et Biologie de la Reproduction, University Hospital of Nantes, 44093, Nantes Cedex, France.
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
|November 19, 2013
Summary
Automated semen analysis systems offer precise and rapid results comparable to manual methods for male fertility testing. The SQA-V GOLD system demonstrated superior precision and agreement with manual assessments, enhancing laboratory standardization.
Area of Science:
- Andrology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Laboratory Diagnostics
Background:
- Male fertility assessment primarily relies on semen analysis, despite inherent variability in manual methods.
- Automated sperm analysis systems aim to improve accuracy and precision over conventional techniques.
- The clinical utility of automated systems necessitates comparison with established manual protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the accuracy and precision of automated semen analysis systems (SQA-V GOLD and CASA CEROS) against the conventional manual method.
- To evaluate the performance of automated systems for key semen parameters including concentration, motility, and morphology.
- To assess the clinical applicability of automated semen analysis in routine diagnostics.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind prospective study included 250 men.
- SQA-V GOLD and CEROS CASA systems were compared to WHO 5th Edition manual assessment.
- Key outcomes measured: sperm concentration, total sperm number, motility (total, progressive, non-progressive), morphology, motile sperm concentration (MSC), and progressively motile sperm concentration (PMSC).
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed between automated systems and manual methods for most semen parameters.
- High Spearman correlation coefficients (rho) were found for sperm concentration, total sperm number, MSC, and PMSC.
- SQA-V GOLD exhibited the highest precision for all semen variables and strong specificity and NPV for morphology, while CASA showed high specificity and NPV.
Conclusions:
- Automated semen analyzers offer standardization, speed, precision, and reduced human error in semen analysis.
- Challenges include handling atypical samples and assessing morphology abnormalities with automated systems.
- The SQA-V Gold showed better agreement with the manual method, supporting its use for routine analysis with improved precision and laboratory standardization.
