Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Errors inherent in the performance of a routine semen analysis.

A M Jequier, E B Ukombe

    British Journal of Urology
    |August 1, 1983
    PubMed
    Summary

    Semen analysis shows high variability in sperm concentration, motility, and morphology results among laboratory technicians. This variability, particularly with low sperm counts, impacts diagnostic accuracy.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    The senior surgical lecturer.

    Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England·2009
    Same author

    Practitioner reporting of birth defects in children born following assisted reproductive technology: Does it still have a role in surveillance of birth defects?

    Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2006
    Same author

    Mutations at the mitochondrial DNA polymerase (POLG) locus associated with male infertility.

    Nature genetics·2001
    Same author

    Differentially expressed DNA sequences following recovery from unilateral testicular torsion in rat.

    Biochimica et biophysica acta·2001
    Same author

    Torsion-induced injury in rat testes does not affect mitochondrial respiration or the accumulation of mitochondrial mutations.

    International journal of andrology·2000
    Same author

    Single-step method for the determination of the amount of the common deletion in mitochondrial DNA.

    BioTechniques·1999

    Area of Science:

    • Andrology
    • Reproductive Medicine
    • Clinical Laboratory Science

    Background:

    • Semen analysis is crucial for male fertility assessment.
    • Standardization of semen analysis procedures is essential for reliable results.
    • Inter-observer variability can affect the accuracy of semen parameters.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the inter-observer variability in semen analysis among medical laboratory technicians and pathologists.
    • To assess the impact of experience on the consistency of semen analysis results.
    • To determine the acceptability of variability in semen parameters, especially in cases of low sperm concentration.

    Main Methods:

    • A single semen sample was analyzed by 26 medical laboratory technicians and pathologists.
    • Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were assessed.
    • Variability was quantified using coefficients of variation (CV).
    • Analyses were repeated by three highly experienced technicians.

    Main Results:

    • Mean sperm concentration showed a wide range (10-98 X 10(6)/ml) with a CV of 44.3% among 26 technicians.
    • High variability was also observed in visual estimations of motility and abnormal morphology.
    • Experienced technicians still exhibited significant variability (CV of 37.8% for sperm concentration).
    • Replicate analyses of semen with low sperm concentration yielded unacceptably high coefficients of variation.

    Conclusions:

    • Significant inter-observer variability exists in routine semen analysis, affecting diagnostic reliability.
    • Experience does not fully eliminate variability in semen parameter assessment.
    • Current semen analysis methods may require standardization to improve consistency and accuracy, especially for low sperm counts.

    Related Experiment Videos