Improved accuracy of sperm motility assessment using a modified Micro-Cell sperm counting chamber

To assess the effect of modifications made in the Micro-Cell sperm counting chamber on the motility of washed human spermatozoa.

In a 2 x 2 experimental design, human sperm samples were washed with or without protein supplementation, loaded into modified or unmodified Micro-Cell chambers, and assessed by automated semen analysis for changes associated with sperm adhesion to the glass chamber surfaces.

Twenty-one men who were undergoing semen analysis and presented with > or = 50% motile sperm, or normal donors.

Reduced motility and elevated lateral head displacement associated with sperm adhesion to glass surfaces were compared using a doubly repeated measures analysis of variance.

Addition of protein to the sperm washing solution partially reversed the adhesion of spermatozoa to the glass of unmodified Micro-Cell chambers. Chambers manufactured to reduce cell adhesion to glass surfaces yielded the highest motility and lowest lateral head displacement, whether the sperm were washed in a solution supplemented with or without protein.

These findings indicate that, as in raw semen, kinematics of washed sperm can be measured reliably in the modified Micro-Cell chamber.