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A new open-source hardware device to measure vertical sperm motility and concentration
Cindy Rivas Arzaluz1,2, María E Ayala3, Andrés Aragón Martínez1
1Laboratorio de Gametos y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, UNAM. Paseo de los Barrios Número 1, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, Mexico.
Summary
Researchers developed UPSPERM, an open-source hardware device, to measure the vertical velocity of sperm, addressing limitations of current methods. This affordable tool also accurately measures sperm concentration, offering a more realistic assessment of sperm function.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Open-Source Hardware Development
Background:
- Semen analysis typically assesses sperm motility and concentration using methods like computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and hemocytometry.
- Current CASA systems primarily measure sperm movement in a horizontal plane, neglecting the crucial vertical dimension relevant to sperm's journey in the female reproductive tract.
- There is a need for advanced instrumentation capable of evaluating sperm parameters in a three-dimensional context.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, construct, and validate an open-source hardware (OSH) device, termed UPSPERM, for measuring the vertical velocity of sperm.
- To assess the device's capability in measuring sperm concentration and evaluate its agreement with the hemocytometer method.
- To demonstrate a practical application of UPSPERM by analyzing boar sperm motility across a range of pH values.
Main Methods:
- Development of an open-source hardware device (UPSPERM) for evaluating sperm vertical velocity and concentration.
- Comparison of sperm concentration measurements obtained from UPSPERM with those from a hemocytometer using Bland-Altman analysis.
- Application of UPSPERM to assess boar sperm vertical velocity at different pH levels (7.0–8.0).
Main Results:
- The UPSPERM device demonstrated good agreement with the hemocytometer for sperm concentration measurements, as indicated by Bland-Altman analysis.
- UPSPERM successfully measured the vertical velocity of sperm, revealing distinct motility patterns at varying pH levels.
- Boar sperm exhibited the highest vertical velocity at pH values of 7.6 and 7.8.
Conclusions:
- UPSPERM provides a reliable and cost-effective method for measuring sperm vertical velocity, a parameter often overlooked in standard semen analysis.
- The device offers a valuable tool for assessing sperm concentration with accuracy comparable to traditional methods.
- UPSPERM represents a significant advancement in reproductive technology, enabling more comprehensive and realistic evaluation of sperm function in a 3D environment.
