Sperm motion parameters in vas deferens and cauda epididymal rat sperm

Motion parameters were compared in rat sperm isolated from the distal vas deferens and the cauda epididymidis. Motion parameters were also compared in 20 microns and 50 microns deep muCellTM chambers using vas deferens sperm. Video recorded samples were analyzed manually for motility, and analyzed by a computer automated sperm analysis (CASA) system for motility, curvilinear velocity, linearity, mean and maximum amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), and beat/cross frequency using two versions of CellSoftTM (Series 3,000 and Series 4,000). Motility, linearity, and beat/cross frequency were not significantly different between sperm from vas deferens and cauda epididymidis, while velocity and ALH values were slightly greater in sperm from vas deferens than from cauda epididymidis. Sperm motility and linearity were not significantly different when analyzed in 20 microns and 50 microns mu CellTM chambers. Velocity and ALH values were slightly greater in 20 microns than in 50 microns chambers, and beat/cross frequency was slightly lower in 20 microns than in 50 microns chambers. Sperm motility was significantly greater when determined manually than when determined with the Series 3,000 but manually determined sperm motility was only slightly greater than motility determined with the Series 4,000. Several sperm motion parameters differed significantly between the Series 3,000 and Series 4,000 (curvilinear velocity, mean and maximum ALH, linearity, and beat/cross frequency) but the relative variability of the systems was comparable. Compared with manual determinations, the Series 3,000 overestimated and the Series 4,000 underestimated the number of cells analyzed for motility. Therefore, differences existed between manual and CellSoft (Series 3,000 and 4,000) analysis of sperm motility and number of cells, and between CellSoft systems in the analysis of sperm motion parameters. However, only minimal differences in sperm motion parameters were observed between the vas deferens and cauda epididymidis, and between 20 microns and 50 microns deep muCell chambers.