Evaluation of the CellSoft automated semen analysis system in a routine laboratory setting

The sperm concentration and percentage motility values generated by version 3.2 of the CellSoft (Cryo Resources Ltd., New York, NY) automated semen analyzer on 200 ejaculates were compared with those obtained by standardized traditional methods. Overall, CellSoft gave mean concentrations that were 20.9 x 10(6)/ml lower (95% range of differences = -112.6 to +154.4 x 10(6)/ml). However, the difference between methods was not systematic. Below 50 x 10(6)/ml, CellSoft more often gave higher values, and above 100 x 10(6)/ml, it usually gave lower values. In the middle range, differences were randomly distributed. For motility, the CellSoft values were usually higher than those obtained by visual counting (mean difference = -17.5%, 95% range = -56.0% to +21.0%). Multiple regression analyses revealed a strong concentration dependency such that reliable values will probably be obtained only if all samples are diluted (with homologous seminal plasma) before CellSoft analysis. This upper concentration limit is of the order of 30 to 50 x 10(6)/ml. Without such dilution, this version of CellSoft will not provide sufficiently accurate values for basic semen characteristics and cannot be accepted as a routine diagnostic method.