Comparison of the Sperm Quality Analyzer IIC variables with the computer-aided sperm analysis estimates

Sperm Quality Analyzer (SQA) IIC, an upgrade version, is an inexpensive device and provides a quantitative estimation of sperm motility, whereas the use of computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) provides high precision and provision of quantitative data on sperm kinetics. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the SQA IIC variables correlated with the CASA estimates. Semen quality analysis of 71 fresh semen samples was performed using SQA IIC and CASA. Total sperm concentration, percentage of progressively motile sperm, percentage of normal morphology, motile sperm concentration, sperm motility index (SMI) and functional sperm count (FSC) determinations were performed using SQA IIC. Sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm motion variables including amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), beat cross frequency (BCF), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN=VSL/VCL), and straightness (STR=VSL/VAP) were evaluated simultaneously on the same semen samples using CASA. The sperm characteristics were compared between SQA IIC and CASA. There were significant correlations of sperm concentration (r=0.634, p < 0.0001), sperm motility (r=0.697, p < 0.0001), and motile sperm concentration (r=0.757, p < 0.0001) between the two devices. Both SMI and FSC significantly correlated with eight CASA estimates, including sperm concentration, sperm motility, motile sperm concentration, ALH, VCL, VSL, VAP, and Rapid. SQA IIC is simple and easy to use. Moreover, the SQA IIC variables well correlated with the CASA estimates. As a screening test for semen quality, SQA IIC is considered as useful in the management of male infertility.     

人类精液冷冻前后精子运动变化的计算机辅助分析

目的 :利用计算机辅助精液分析 (CASA)系统分析冷冻前后人类活动精子的运动参数 ,并观察相关参数的变化规律。　方法 :2 38份精液样本在冷冻前和复苏后均采用CASA分析其运动参数。　结果 :复苏后精子活动率下降 ;除精子鞭打频率 (BCF)外 ,冷冻前与复苏后全部精子运动参数呈显著正相关且差异存在显著性 ;平均路径速度 (VAP)、直线速度 (VSL)、曲线速度 (VCL)下降 ,精子头侧摆幅 (ALH)下降 ,但直线性 (LIN)、前向性 (STR)升高。　结论 :CASA系统可对冻融前后精子运动参数进行客观细致的分析 ,有一定的临床应用价值。     

两种精子分析系统的比较研究

目的:评估自动化精子质量分析仪SQA-V与计算机辅助精液分析(CASA)系统之间各主要参数的差异性及其在不育和生育男性精液质量分析中的应用。方法:用SQA-V和CASA系统分别检测12例正常生育者和73例不育患者新鲜精液标本,分别分析精子密度、精子活动率、活动精子浓度、精子活动力指数、精子头侧向位移、鞭打频率、精子曲线运动速度、精子前向运动速度、平均路径速度、直线性及前向性运动速度等参数,针对两者进行相关性分析。结果:不育组和生育组男性各项指标间存在显著差异,两种分析系统检测的精子密度之间(r=0.58,P<0.01)、活动精子浓度之间(r=0.75,P<0.01)、平均精子速度(SQA-V)和精子路径速度(CASA)之间(r=0.59,P<0.01)具有较好的一致性,SQA-V的活动精子指数(SMI)和CASA的前向性、曲线运动速度、精子运动的直线性、前向运动速度、平均路径速度、鞭打频率等参数具有显著相关性(P<0.05)。结论:SQA-V和CASA系统比较,在各主要参数上具有较好的一致性,能够反映临床不同组群患者精液的差异性。     

CASA as an aid to selecting sperm suspensions for artificial insemination in Callithrix jacchus

The ability to use sperm motility parameters, obtained by computer-assisted sperm motility analysis (CASA), as an aid to selecting sperm samples for artificial insemination (AI) would have considerable benefits for commercial organizations and for the captive breeding of endangered species. In this study the Hobson sperm tracker (HST) was validated for use with spermatozoa from Callithrix jacchus, the common marmoset, by comparing values for straight line velocity by CASA with those obtained by direct measurement of sperm tracks. Using the settings established during validation, ejaculated and epididymal spermatozoa were analysed with the HST. The range of values for velocity parameters were used to establish expected motility profiles for the two types of spermatozoa as follows: for epididymal spermatozoa (concentration 2.2 - 85.8 x 10(6) spermatozoa/mL) VCL 109.8-155.9, VSL 75.2-141.5, VAP 85.8-142.1, MAD 13.7-40.7, ALH 3.8-7.8, BCF 1.4-4.2, LIN 40.5-91.1% and STR 70.1-97.1%; for ejaculated spermatozoa (concentration 3.2-82.0 x 10(6) spermatozoa/mL) VCL 89.6-136.7, VSL 69.6-110.3, VAP 74.5-121.9, MAD 19.2-29.3, ALH 3.0-9.9, BCF 2.8-5.5., LIN 65.4-85.3% and STR 93.8-97.7%. Epididymal spermatozoa from males which were not sexually active had significantly lower values for VCL, VSL and VAP, while values for MAD were significantly higher than for spermatozoa from sexually active males (p < 0.031). Sperm concentration affected motility parameters significantly. Although motility parameters differed according to the batch of medium used, the differences were not statistically significant. Epididymal sperm samples had significantly higher VCL, VSL and VAP but lower BCF and LIN than ejaculated sperm samples of the same concentration diluted in the same batch of medium, while MAD, ALH and STR were not different. Urine contamination significantly reduced VCL, VSL and VAP (p < 0.008, < 0.016 and < 0.008, respectively, sample size = 7) whereas MAD, ALH, BCF, LIN and STR were not affected. Therefore CASA could be useful in screening ejaculates for use in Al to eliminate samples with unusual motility patterns.     

不育男性精浆总抗氧化能力与精子运动功能的关系

目的:研究不育男性精浆总抗氧化能力(TAC)与精子运动能力和方式之间的关系,探讨精浆TAC水平在男性生育中的临床意义。方法:113例精子密度正常的不育男性,28例正常生育男性作为对照组。精液于37℃液化后采用计算机辅助精液分析(CASA)系统进行精液常规分析,采用比色法进行精浆TAC分析。结果:正常生育组精浆TAC为(19.82±6.33)U,不育男性精子密度正常组精浆TAC为(14.37±8.45)U,不育男性精子密度正常组与正常生育组比较存在显著性差异(P<0.01)。精浆TAC与a级精子百分率(r=0.208,P<0.05)和(a+b)级精子百分率(r=0.231,P<0.05)呈显著正相关,精浆TAC与精子运动参数中的前向性(r=0.200,P<0.05)、直线性(r=0.208,P<0.05)、曲线速度(r=0.189,P<0.05)、直线速度(r=0.210,P<0.05)、平均移动速度(r=0.215,P<0.05)及鞭打频率(r=-0.248,P<0.01)之间有显著的相关性,其中前向性、直线性、直线速度、曲线速度、平均移动速度与TAC呈正相关(P<0.05),而鞭打频率与TAC呈负相关(P<0.01)。精浆TAC与摆动性、侧摆幅度、平均移动角度之间无显著相关。结论:精浆中TAC水平与精子运动能力和运动方式密切相关,适宜的精浆TAC为精子运动提供了良好的外部环境,精浆中过低的TAC水平与精子运动能力下降和运动方式改变有关,可能是引起男性不育的病因之一。精浆中TAC分析可为探讨男性不育的发病机制以及临床用药提供依据。     

Association between age and epididymal and accessory sex gland function and their relation to sperm motility

Increased male age has been associated with significant reduction in pregnancy rates. This study investigated the association between age, the function of epididymal and accessory sex glands, and their relation to sperm motility. Ejaculates from 498 men assessed for infertility were analysed according to WHO [1999] guidelines. Seminal markers of epididymal (neutral alpha-glucosidase (NAG)), prostatic (prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and zinc), and seminal vesicle function (fructose) were measured. Four groups according to age were defined: G(21-30) (21-30 years), G(31-40) (31-40 years), G(41-50) (41-50 years), and G(>50) (51-66 years). Percentage progressive motility was significantly lower in G(>50) compared with G(21-30). NAG, PSA, zinc, and fructose were significantly lower in G(>50) compared with G(21-30). In a multiple regression analysis model, NAG and PSA showed positive significant association with percentage progressive motility. The opposite trend was found regarding zinc. No association between fructose and percentage progressive motility was shown. In this cross-sectional study, declined sperm motility observed in men over 50 years of age might be due to age-dependent changes in epididymal and accessory sex gland function.     

男性血液和精液中微量元素含量与精子活力的相关性研究

目的:探讨男性血液和精液中微量元素的分布及其与男性精液参数的相关性。方法:采用BH-5100五通道原子吸收仪、YY-1001血铅仪和伟力彩色精子自动分析仪,对113例男性血液和精液进行钙、镁、铜、锌、铁、铅的测定及精液常规分析,以了解微量元素和精液参数的相互关系。结果:①血液与精液中铅、铜、锌、铁含量显著相关,其中以铜的相关系数最大;钙、镁没有相关性。②血液和精液中铅、铜、锌、钙、镁、铁6种微量元素分布存在显著性差异。③精液中钙与精子活率、直线运动精子活率、曲线速度、平均移动角度、活跃精子密度、直线速度、平均路径速度、侧摆幅度等指标显著正相关;铅与精子活率、直线运动精子活率、活跃精子密度、活动精子密度、直线运动精子密度等指标呈显著负相关;镁元素与精子活率、直线运动精子活率、直线运动精子密度呈显著负相关;精液酸碱度与钙、镁、铁3种元素呈显著负相关。④血液中的锌与精子活率和直线运动精子活率呈显著负相关,镁与精子活率、直线运动精子活率、平均路径速度呈显著负相关,铅与侧摆幅度呈显著正相关。结论:不同体液中的微量元素分布和精子的运动功能存在不同的相关性。     

Kinematics of human spermatozoa incubated under capacitating conditions

Suspensions of seminal plasma-free human spermatozoa were prepared by swim-up from semen and studied using high magnification videomicrography after incubation under capacitating conditions for 1.5-2 h. Three subpopulations of capacitating spermatozoa showing different patterns of motility could be distinguished visually: forward progressive, transition phase, and hyperactivated motility. The purpose of this study was not to determine the relative proportions of spermatozoa in these three categories but to describe their movement characteristics. Manual track plotting and analysis allowed value derivation for the curvilinear, average path and straight-line velocities (VCL, VAP, and VSL respectively); for the three progression ratios of linearity (LIN = VSL divided by VCL X 100), straightness (STR = VSL divided by VAP X 100), and wobble (WOB = VAP divided by VCL X 100); and also for the amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and the beat/cross frequency (BCF). Algorithms produced from these motion characteristics allowed distinctions to be made between cell motility patterns. Spermatozoa with straight-line velocity (VSL) greater than or equal to 40 microns/s, linearity (LIN) greater than or equal to 60% and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) less than 5 microns were FP or non-hyperactivated. Tracks with curvilinear velocity (VCL) greater than or equal to 100 microns/s, linearity (LIN) less than 60% and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) greater than or equal to 5 microns showed concomitants of hyperactivation. Classical hyperactivated tracks also showed straightness (STR) less than 60% and straight-line velocity (VSL) less than 30 microns/s.     

供精自愿人群生物学特征与精液指标的相关性分析

目的:探讨供精自愿人群的生物学特征与精液指标的关系。方法:778例初次捐献精液的供精自愿者的精液用WHO推荐的标准化方法在计算机辅助精子分析系统上检测精子密度、活动率、曲线速度(VCL)、直线速度(VSL)、平均路径速度(VAP)、精子头侧摆幅度(ALH)、直线性(LIN)、前向性(STR)、鞭打频率(BCF)等精液指标,并登记相应的生物学特征。结果:供精自愿者中在校学生的比例超过1/3,89.2%年龄35岁以下,71.6%身高为166~175 cm,91.7%属于正常体重,77.1%具有专科及以上文化程度;精子密度的中位数为107.00×106/m l,活动率的中位数为75%;生物学特征与精液指标的综合分析显示与年龄有较弱的相关关系的指标包括:精子密度(r=0.210,P=0.000)、活动率(r=0.213,P=0.000)、容积(r=0.165,P=0.002)、VAP(r=0.259,P=0.000)、VSL(r=0.281,P=0.000)、VCL(r=0.190,P=0.000)、BCF(r=-0.243,P=0.000)、LIN(r=0.192,P=0.000),26~35岁组人群的相关精液指标稍优于20~25岁组;身高与各精液指标无关。职业对精液指标ALH没有影响(P=0.695/0.886),而对其他精液指标都有影响(P<0.01)。结论:年龄、职业对精液指标ALH没有影响,对其他精液指标都有一定的影响;身高对精液指标数值没有显著影响。     

Seminal plasma albumin: origin and relation to the male reproductive parameters

We wanted to investigate the origin of seminal plasma albumin and its relation to the male reproductive parameters. Semen samples from 916 men, under infertility assessment, were analysed according to guidelines of the World Health Organization. Seminal plasma constituents, i.e. albumin, markers of the epididymal (neutral alpha-glucosidase, NAG), prostatic (prostate-specific antigen, PSA, and zinc) and seminal vesicle function (fructose), as well as levels of reproductive hormones in plasma were measured. The sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) was applied on 267 of the 916 samples. A negative correlation was seen for seminal albumin and plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (r=-0.1, P=0.02) and a positive correlation for seminal albumin and serum inhibin B (r=0.2, P=0.004). Albumin exhibited positive correlations with the epididymal marker, NAG (r=0.5, P<0.001) and with the prostatic markers, PSA and zinc (r=0.1, P=0.001; r=0.2, P<0.001 respectively) as well as with age (r=0.2, P<0.001). A negative significant association was seen for seminal albumin and semen volume (beta=-0.60; 95% CI -0.80 to -0.30). The opposite trend was found regarding sperm concentration (beta=0.34; 95% CI 0.30-0.40), total sperm count (beta=0.30; 95% CI 0.20-0.40), and percentage morphologically normal spermatozoa (beta=0.70; 95% CI 0.10-1.0). No association was found between albumin and sperm motility, SCSA parameters, or fructose, the marker of seminal vesicles. Our results suggest testicular, epididymal and prostatic origin of seminal plasma albumin, in addition to the contribution from blood. This is the first study to demonstrate an association between seminal plasma albumin and sperm morphology. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of seminal albumin in sperm morphology.     

不同吸入麻醉药对人精子运动功能和体外获能的影响

目的 探讨不同吸入麻醉药对人精子运动功能和体外获能的影响.方法 成年男性精液经Percoll梯度离心法处理后,沉淀精子置于人精子体外获能培养基,调节精子密度(30～50)×106/ml,随机分为5组(n=7):对照组(C组)正常培养,2%、4%七氟醚组(SEV1、2组)和1.1%、2.2%异氟醚组(ISO1、2组)在37℃孵箱中分别暴露于2%、4%七氟醚和1.1%、2.2%异氟醚5 h,采用计算机辅助精子分析系统评价精子运动功能,记录精子运动活力[(a+b)%]、曲线速度(VCL)、直线速度(VSL)、平均速度(VAP)和头部侧向运动平均振幅(ALH),采用金霉素荧光染色技术评价精子体外获能情况.计算吸入麻醉药组各指标的相对抑制率.结果 与C组比较,SEV1组、SEV2组和ISO2组(a+b)%、VCL、VSL、VAP降低,SEV2组ALH、SEV2组和ISO1、2组精子获能程度降低(P＜0.05);与SEV1组比较,SEV2组(a+b)%、VCL、VSL、VAP降低,ISO1组(a+b)%、VCL、VSL、VAP的相对抑制率降低(P＜0.05);与ISO1组比较,ISO2组(a+b)%、VCL、VSL、VAP降低(P＜0.05);与SEV2组比较,ISO2组(a+b)%、VCL、VSL、VAP和ALH的相对抑制率降低(P＜0.05).结论 七氟醚和异氟醚均可呈剂量依赖性地抑制人精子运动功能和体外获能;七氟醚抑制精子运动功能的作用较异氟醚强.     

2343例男科就诊患者精子动态参数分析

目的探讨精子动态参数在评价男性生育能力方面的应用价值。方法严格按照WHO技术规范，用计算机辅助精液分析（CASA）系统对本院2343例男科门诊就诊的患者精液进行常规指标和精子动态参数分析。结果①正常精液组和异常精液组各项精子动态参数比较，均存在统计学差异；②随着精子存活率的下降，曲线速度（VCL）、直线速度（VSL）、平均路径速度（VAP）、平均移动角度（MAD）、侧摆幅度（ALH）、前向性（STR）下降明显，鞭打频率（BCF）呈上升趋势，而直线性（LIN）、摆动性（WOB）差异无显著性；③与密度活力正常组比较：少精组除LIN、STR有所增加，MAD、BCF有所下降，差别有统计学意义外，其余五项参数差别无统计学意义；弱精组除MAD无统计学差异外，其余八项参数均有统计学差异；少弱精组除MAD和ALH无统计学差异外，其余七项参数均有统计学差异。结论精子动态参数是评估精液质量的重要指标，为男性不育的诊断、治疗和研究提供了充分的依据。     

CASA‐based sperm kinematics of environmental risk factor‐exposed human semen samples designated as normozoospermic in conventional analysis

This study was conducted after an initial epidemiological survey of patients in and around Calcutta, India, concerning their lifestyle history, degree of risk exposure and semen analysis based on conventional WHO criteria. It was found that a large group of exposed patients were showing normozoospermic semen parameters in conventional semen analysis. Hence, a selected group of subjects, designated as normozoospermic in routine analysis, but under risk factor exposure, were selected for a repeat computer aided semen analysis (CASA) and were compared with a control group. The parameters considered among CASA results were: curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight‐line velocity, average path velocity (VAP), straightness index (STR), lateral head displacement (ALH) and beat cross frequency. The results depict a significant decline in the mean values of VCL (P = 0.029) and STR (P = 0.007) in the tobacco‐exposed group when compared with the unexposed group. On the other hand, there was a significant decline in the mean values of VCL (P = 0.014) and ALH (P = 0.040) in the heavy metal‐exposed group when compared with the unexposed group. The other parameters did not show significant change in either group. Semen samples that had been designated normozoospermic in conventional analysis were seen to be influenced by risk factors at the level of sperm motion kinetics.     

Effects of sauna on sperm movement characteristics of normal men measured by computer-assisted sperm analysis

The effects of sauna exposure on sperm movement characteristics and other semen parameters were evaluated using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). A significant ( p  < 0.01) decrease in average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL) and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) was found after exposure to sauna for 2 weeks. The altered parameters returned to their original values within 1 week after cessation of sauna exposure. Mean values for semen volume, sperm count, percentage motility, sperm morphology and sperm penetration assay (SPA) were not statistically different during and after sauna, when compared to the corresponding control values. The results suggest that increasing scrotal temperature by sauna causes a reversible decrease in sperm movement parameters.     

首乌还精胶囊体外对人精子运动能力和受精能力的影响

目的 :研究首乌还精胶囊含药血清体外对人精子运动能力和受精能力的影响。　方法 :通过人精子与首乌还精胶囊含药血清共培养 ,观察首乌还精胶囊对人精子运动能力 (精子运动CASA分析 )、精子顶体反应和穿透去透明带仓鼠卵能力的影响。　结果 :含药血清加入共培养可显著提高人精子运动速度 [精子运动路径速度(VAP)、精子轨迹速度 (VCL)、精子前向运动速度 (VSL) ](P <0 .0 1)、精子头部侧置振幅 (ALH)和鞭毛摆动频率(BCF)及前向运动精子密度 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,精子顶体反应发生率 (P <0 .0 0 1) ,卵子受精率 (FR)及受精指数 (FI) (P <0 .0 1)。且含药血清刺激作用呈现出一定的量效关系。　结论 :首乌还精胶囊具有提高人精子运动能力和受精能力的作用。     

Analysis of the Changes of Movement Function and Viability in Human Spermatozoa Induced by Reactive Oxygen Species

Objective: To study the influence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the mobility and viability of human spermatozoa. Methods: Spermatozoa with normal function were selected from human semen samples by the Percoll gradient centrifugation technique. ROS were generated by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system and were incubated with the spermatozoa under aerobic environment. Movement parameters of spermatozoa were analyzed by the computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) system. Results: Thirty min after incubation with ROS, the motility, curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL) and average path velocity (VAP) of the spermatozoa were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the change in the amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) was insignificant (P>0.05). After 60 min incubation, the motility was almost lost with all the movement parameters close to zero. Conclusion: When normal spermatozoa were incubated with ROS, the mobility was decreased. It is believed that ROS may be one of t     

计算机辅助分析人、家兔、大鼠和小鼠附睾精子运动能力

本研究应用计算机辅助精子分析（ＣＡＳＡ）定量分析了人、家兔、大鼠和小鼠精子附睾成熟过程中，精子运动能力的发生和发展。同时对这几种动物和人进行了系统分析和比较。结果表明：在不同种属之间，其运动的发生和发展具有一定的差异；各种不同种属动物精子在各自附睾成熟过程中，其运动能力的两个方面参数，运动速度和运动方式的发展是不平行的；附睾尾部精子的运动能力（包括运动速度和直线程度）最强。     

司机职业对男性不育患者精子活力和动力学参数的影响及相关性研究

目的 探讨乌鲁木齐地区司机职业对男性不育患者精子活力和动力学参数的影响及相关性研究.方法 应用WLJY-9000型精子质量检测系统对157例不育男性(司机组72例、非司机组85例)和125例正常生育男性精子的直线运动速度(VSL)、曲线速度(VCL)、平均路径速度(VAP)、平均移动角度(MAD)、侧摆幅度(ALH)、鞭打频率(BCF)、前向性(STR)、直线性(LIN)、摆动性(WOB)精子活力及其分级进行检测并分析其相关性.结果 不育组与正常生育组相比,精子活力、VSL、VCL、VAP、LIN和STR显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01);司机组与非司机组相比,精子活力、VSL、VCL、VAP和MAD显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),而BCF显著升高(P<0.01);驾龄10年～组与0年～和5年～两组相比,精子活力、VSL、VCL、VAP、MAD、LIN、WOB和STR显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),而BCF显著升高(P<0.01);司机职业男性不育患者精子活力与VSL、VCL、VAP有显著正相关性,而与BCF有显著负相关性.结论 (1)司机职业可引起男性精子活力和动力学参数异常,驾车车龄对男性精子质量的影响存在时效关系,长时间驾车可能是引起男性不育的重要原因之一;(2)VSL、VCL、VAP和BCF是反映司机职业不育男性精子活力的有效指标.     

Clinical significance of the Acridine Orange test performed as a routine examination: comparison with the CASA estimates and strict criteria

The aim of the present study is to clarify the clinical significance of the Acridine Orange (AO) test (a sperm function test) as a routine examination by investigating the relationships between chromatin decondensation assessed by the AO test and routine semen analysis. Totally 543 semen samples were obtained from 286 infertile men. The AO test was performed, and spermatozoa displaying green fluorescence were considered as mature. The threshold of green AO fluorescence as 50% was adopted and the values <50% were considered as positive in the test. Computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) and strict criteria were used for routine semen analysis. Twenty-two (4.05%) of 543 semen samples were positive in the AO test. In 20 semen samples obtained from men with severe male infertility treated by intracytoplasmic sperm injections (ICSI), the positive rate was 30.0%, which was significantly higher than that (2.63%) treated by conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) (p=0.01). As for the basic sperm parameters, there were significant correlations between the AO test and sperm motility (p<0.001), and between the AO test and normal sperm morphology (p=0.02). However, there was no relationship between the AO test and sperm concentration (p=0.585). Sperm motion parameters assessed by CASA, including amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), curvilinear velocity (VCL) and rapid sperm movement (Rapid), were significantly correlated with the AO test. The information obtained using the AO test was indicated to be useful in planning treatment strategy for infertile couples.