Sperm semi-autoanalysis by a combination of multiple exposure photography (MEP) and computer techniques

A semiautomatic method for sperm analysis is described. The method combines a previously developed multiple exposure photography system with a digitizer connected to a computer. An undiluted specimen is inserted into a 10-mic chamber and the sperms are microscopically photographed for 1 second while illuminated by six short light pulses. On the developed film nonmotile sperms appear very bright, while motile sperms are seen as six-ringed chains. In addition, high magnification photographs of immobilized preheated sperms are taken for morphology analysis. The photographed images are projected onto sheets of paper where the traces of the nonmotile and motile sperms as well as the normal and abnormal forms are marked by a pen. For motility determination, sheets containing the sperm tracks are placed on the digitizer tablet. By means of a sonic pen the coordinates of the ends of the tracks are automatically recorded and the number of motile and nonmotile sperms are counted. Then the percent of abnormal forms are entered at the keyboard. Within a few seconds the computer supplies a printout of the results, including sperm concentration, percent of motile sperms, average velocity and frequency distribution of velocities of moving sperms, percent of abnormal forms, and total number of analyzed sperms.