Sperm motility assessment using computer assisted semen analysis (CASA): a comparison of standard microscope slides and coverslips and the 20 µm MicroCell™

Sperm motility assessment using computer assisted semen analysis (CASA): a comparison of standard microscope slides and coverslips and the 20 µm MicroCell™

Callum Robinson, Peter Roberts, Phillip Matson

School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia 6027, Australia; Fertility North, Joondalup, Western Australia 6027, Australia

Abstract: Computer assisted semen analysis (CASA) uses instrumentation that makes precise measurements of sperm motility, but the values obtained can be influenced by a number of technical aspects. Motility of human sperm was measured using a Sperm Class Analyzer (Microptic S.L., Barcelona, Spain), and the effect of using different counting chamber/slide configurations was investigated. Results for 20μm MicroCell slides (Vitrolife Sweden AB, Göteborg, Sweden) were compared with microscope slides and 22mmx22mm coverslips loaded with either 5µl (CV.5µl) or 10µl (CV.10µl) semen. Operator-correction of readings for all slide configurations resulted in a significantly lower number of sperm assessed due to the elimination of non-sperm bodies. Following operator-correction, the MicroCell chamber and CV.10µl slide gave similar readings for both progressive motility and immotility for up to 5 minutes, whereas the CV.5µl had a progressive increase in immotile sperm. The interval to analysis was therefore standardised at 2 minutes prior to the measurement of kinetic parameters, and the MicroCell values were significantly different to the CV.10µl for curvilinear velocity (VCL), average path velocity (VAP) and straight line velocity (VSL), and the CV.5µl for VAP. It is concluded that the same configuration be used within the same study, and that care should be taken when comparing different studies that have used different slide/chamber configurations.

J Reprod Stem Cell Biotechnol 7:1-7