Clinical application of the standardisation of computer-assisted sperm morphometry analysis with ASMA (assisted sperm morphometry analysis) using a semen system analyser SCA 5.4 (Sperm Class Analyzer, Microptic)

Clara Ramírez, José Ramón Alonso, Pedro Jiménez, Jordi Ramis, Josep María Gris, Carlos Aulesa

Unidad de Andrología, Laboratorios Clínicos, Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain; Servicio de Reproducción Asistida, Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Introduction: Use is made of computer-assisted sperm morphometry analysis (ASMA) in order to analyse sub-populations as a function of several pathologies.

Material and methods: A total of 703 patients were classified into 7 pathology groups, and their sperm sub-populations were analysed. Pathology groups were classified into infertility, male factor stress (anxiety, insomnia and/or depression), diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2, varicocele, urogenital infections, oncological patients, and other endocrine diseases. Morphological analysis was performed using the semen analyser system SCA 5.4 (Sperm Class Analyzer) (Microptic S.L., Barcelona, Spain). Pre-treatment and staining method used has been previously described by this group.

Results: Automatic human sperm morphology showed that the study of sperm sub-populations has a clinical usefulness in the diagnosis of varicocele. Higher values of 30% elongated sperms had a sensitivity of 37% and a specificity of 79% (1.54 odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval from 1.05 to 2.26). Furthermore, groups of infertility, stress, and diabetes showed new sperm sub-populations which had not been described previously, so they could become a new diagnostic tool.

Discussion: The coefficients of variation of sperm morphology were decreased using automation, enabling the study sperm subpopulations in different pathologies. There is a diagnostic usefulness for varicocele. There could be a prediction to choose the best assisted reproductive technique for infertility patients. However, for the rest of groups new sperm subpopulations could be identified that could make it a diagnostic tool, but requires a higher casuistry to conclude the study.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medre.2017.11.001