Abstract
Study question
The performance and efficiency of the LensHooke® R10 test kit were evaluated by the clinical examination for precision, accuracy, and time.
Summary answer
The LensHooke® R10 based on sperm chromatin dispersion test offers not only quick testing for sperm DNA fragmentation but also reliable and accurate test results.
What is known already
Sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, one of the most commonly used testing for sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), can be conducted promptly and without the need for expensive laboratory instruments. However, the main disadvantage of the SCD test is inter-observer variability in categorizing the size of characteristics halos surrounding the core of sperm. Moreover, it takes more than one hour to accomplish whole assay procedures making this testing an inefficient diagnostic tool. These may hinder its broad availability among andrology laboratories or prevent it from being routinely used for the evaluation of male infertility.
Study design, size, duration
A total of 108 participants was included in this prospective study. Data was collected from the reproductive medicine center between June and December 2020.
Participants/materials, setting, methods
This study included 108 consecutive male partners of couples attending for assisted reproductive treatment. SDF was simultaneously tested by using LensHooke® R10 (R10) and Halosperm® G2 (G2) respectively. We evaluated the correlation and agreement between two SCD-based test kits. The repeatability and reproducibility of the SCD kits were assessed by intra-and inter-observer agreement experiments. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value for the R10 was determined by receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve analysis.
Main results and the role of chance
The R10 produced more clear sperm core and dispersed chromatin, therefore highly recognizable images can be easily and accurately categorized when scoring of SDF. It took 50% less time for SDF testing by the R10 compared to the G2 (38.26 ± 9.85 minutes vs. 76.52 ± 19.7 minutes, P < 0.0001). The SDF% results showed a strong correlation for the R10 and G2 with Spearman’s coefficients of rank correlation (rho) above 0.8 (P < 0.0001, N = 108). The R10 showed 89.8% accuracy with 87.9% sensitivity, 90.8% specificity, 82.9% PPV, and 93.7% NPV on the measurement of SDF% at the threshold value of 22%. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) >0.9 showed a strong agreement between two observers on the testing of SDF using the R10. ICC >0.9 showed a high intra-observer agreement within 4 repeated testing on SDF using the R10. The R10 showed an intra-observer’s precision of coefficient variation, CV < 10% for SDF%. In addition, SDF% test results obtained by the R10 for asthenospermic (31.8% ± 16.7%), teratospermic (22.9% ± 14.4%), and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic samples (36.6% ± 14.4%) were significantly higher than that observed in normozoospermic samples (15.3% ± 10.2%, p < 0.05), was comparable with the G2.
Limitations, reasons for caution
The sample size of 4 semen specimens used to evaluate the intra-and inter-observer agreement was a limitation. Besides, evaluating the relationship between the SDF and clinical outcome of ART is necessary for further study.
Wider implications of the findings: The new in vitro diagnostics reagent, LensHooke® R10, is a simple and quick test kit that offers reliable and accurate test results of sperm DNA fragmentation, can be routinely used in male infertility evaluation.
Trial registration number
CS2–20012
Rapid rates of sperm DNA damage after activation in tench (Tinca tinca: Teleostei, Cyprinidae) measured using a sperm chromatin dispersion test