The present study was undertaken to assess the relationship between the results of conventional semen analysis and the sperm motility index (SMI) as measured by the sperm quality analyser (SQA), and to evaluate these in relation to the fertilization and/or pregnancy outcome of assisted reproduction. SMI determinations and conventional semen analyses were performed on 223 samples from subfertile...

We have developed a microscope system for real-time single sperm tracking with an automated laser tweezers escape power assay. Phase contrast images of swimming sperm are digitized to the computer at video rate. The custom algorithm creates a region of interest centered about a sperm in response to a mouse click and performs all subsequent tasks autonomously. Microscope stage movement responds ...

BACKGROUND Sperm cell death appears to be a cause of male infertility. The objective of this study was to determine the most reliable method for the evaluation of sperm quality in semen samples during sperm preparation for IVF. METHODS Conventional analysis of semen samples was compared with several cytofluorometric methods detecting death-associated changes. Neat semen from infertile patient...

The standard semen analysis is the first line and the most popular laboratory test in the diagnosis of male fertility. It evaluates sperm concentration, motility, morphology and their vitality. However, it is well-known that normal results of semen analysis can not exclude men from the causes of couples' infertility. One of the most important parameters of sperm in its fertilizing potential is ...

BACKGROUND Semen analysis is essential for evaluating male infertility. Besides sperm concentration, other properties, such as motility and morphology, are critical indicators in assessing sperm quality. Nevertheless, rapid and complete assessment of these measures still presents considerable difficulty and involves a range of complex issues. Here we present a microfluidic device capable of qua...

background: previous researches about the effect of smoking on semen quality are contradictory, and the mechanism behind the harmful effect of smoking on semen quality still remains unclear until today. objective: the objectives of this study are evaluation of the relationship between smoking and fertility, investigation of the effects of cigarette smoking on sperm parameters and detection of p...

BACKGROUND No reports have been published about age-related sperm malformations in varicocele patients. AIM To investigate the distribution of abnormal sperm characteristics in adolescents, adults and older men with varicocele. SETTING AND DESIGN Records of semen analysis of 143 men aged 14 to 53 years who had evident left-sided varicocele detected by physical examination and confirmed by d...

Recently, the conception rates after artificial insemination have been pointed out to decline continuously. To overcome this problem, the control of frozen and thawed sperm quality is required. However, the mechanism of bovine sperm functional regulation is still largely unknown. In mammals, the ejaculated sperm are capable of showing fertilizing ability during migration in the female reproduct...

The Sperm-Class Analyzer detected four subpopulations of spermatozoa with different motility characteristics in the ejaculate of the Catalonian donkey. Significant differences (P < 0.001) in the distribution of these subpopulations, as well as in total sperm number and percentage total motility, were seen in the diluted semen of four sampled donkeys. All the ejaculates evaluated showed excellen...

The aim of this study is to underline the role of transmission and scanning electron microscopy analysis in the diagnosis of human sperm pathologies. Among the possible causes of male infertility, defects of sperm morphology represent an important factor that may explain decreased fertilizing potential of sperm. Electron microscopy allowed us to identify systematic sperm defects that affect the...