Computer Assisted Semen Analysis, an overcoming tool

Ariagno Julia I, Chenlo Patricia H, Mendeluk Gabriela R

Laboratorio de Fertilidad Masculina. Hospital de Clínicas “José de San Martín. Facultad de Farmacia Bioquímica. U.B.A., Argentina

Sperm motility is a key parameter while assessing semen quality. It provides information about sperm energy state, a requisite needed to achieve the active movement that enables the gamete to reach the oviduct site were fertilization takes place. The standard method to assess motility is subjective; it estimates speeds thus having a great inter-laboratory variation. In fact its use is against to the current tendency oriented to objectify all the biochemical studies.
Development of Assisted Computer Semen Analysis (CASA) has not only helped to increase the assessment accuracy and reliability, but has also provided much more information than that obtained by the conventional subjective method. However, certain factors (eg the operator, optics, software configuration, etc.) can affect the results obtained by the use of this technology. In accordance with current regulations we validated the CASA-SCA modules for mobility and concentration, before its use in the andrology clinic for evaluation of patient´s samples. Accuracy, method detection limit and reportable range were determined; a study on method comparison was done and the reference values were verified.
We want to highlight that CASA does not supplant the work of the expert who necessarily has to edit the images and who finally has to validate the clinical report. They can not predict semen sample «fertility». However, properly validated they provide detailed and accurate data useful for ejaculate characterization, exceeding the information that has so far been given by the subjective method.

SAEGRE