P–011 Automated sperm morphology assessment using artificial intelligence technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Agarwal ◽  
M K Panne. Selvam
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Sperm Morphology ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Diagnostic Use ◽  
Normal Sperm

Abstract Study question Can LensHooke X1 PRO semen analyzer be used to evaluate sperm morphology in men with infertility? Summary answer Morphology results generated by X1 PRO are highly reliable when normal sperm forms are ≥4% and therefore they can be reported in such cases . What is known already Most laboratories rely on manual evaluation of sperm morphology smears, which is a time-consuming procedure and its results are subjected to a relatively high variability. However, in recent years the computer-assisted semen analyzers are being increasingly used to evaluate sperm morphology. The X1 PRO semen quality analyzer was designed for in vitro diagnostic use to analyze sperm concentration, total, progressive and non-progressive motility as well as sperm morphology based on WHO 5th edition criteria. Evaluation of sperm morphology using X1 PRO based on AIOM (Artificial Intelligence Optical Microscopic)-based technology requires no fixation steps or staining unlike the manual method. Study design, size, duration This cross-sectional study used 31 semen samples from 8 normozoospermic healthy volunteers and 5 infertile men with a minimum abstinence period between 2 - 3 days. While the 8 healthy semen donors produced a total of 26 ejaculates, which were split into 88 aliquots, the 5 infertile patients produced 5 ejaculates that were split into 13 aliquots. Participants/materials, setting, methods A total of 101 aliquots were prepared from the native semen samples either by dilution or concentration using seminal plasma of the respective donors. Automated semen analysis was performed by the X1 PRO semen analyzer and the results of sperm morphology were compared with manual morphology results using Diff-Quik staining. Statistical analysis was carried out to calculate the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of X1 PRO semen analyzer. Main results and the role of chance The X1 PRO sperm morphology results show a weak non-significant (P = 0.2441) correlation (r = 0.119) with the manual results. However, X1 PRO demonstrated a high PPV (97.7%) and a low NPV (9.1%) for correct assessment of sperm morphology (≥4%) when compared to manual results. Due to its high PPV, laboratories can report the morphology results generated by X1 PRO in all such cases when normal sperm forms are ≥4%. However, a manual evaluation is necessary in patients with abnormal morphology (<4%). Limitations, reasons for caution One of the limitation of this study is that X1 PRO morphology values did not correlate with manual results. The low NPV seen in our study is due to the inclusion of very few samples with abnormal sperm forms (<4%) in the analysis. Wider implications of the findings: The X1 PRO’s combination of speed, ease of use, accuracy and portability makes it a good choice of device for small medical offices to large IVF centers. High PPV of X1 PRO allows it to correctly identify normal sperm forms for diagnostic use. Trial registration number 18–771

scholarly journals Seasonal variations in quantitative and qualitative sperm characteristics in fertile and subfertile stallions

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yara Suliman ◽  
Frank Becker ◽  
Armin Tuchscherer ◽  
Klaus Wimmers
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Normal Sperm ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Significant Seasonal Variation

Abstract. Horses are seasonal breeders with a natural breeding season beginning in spring and extending through midsummer. In this study, quantitative and qualitative parameters of chilled stallion semen were compared between fertile and subfertile stallions and between the breeding and the non-breeding season. Semen quality parameters compared included ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, sperm morphology, and computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA)-derived sperm movement characteristics obtained from two groups of warmblood stallions (n=8; four fertile stallions and four subfertile stallions), which differ in the seasonal pregnancy rate 80 %–90 % (fertile) vs. 40 %–60 % (subfertile). A total of 64 ejaculates were collected from the stallions (n=8; four in the breeding season and four in the non-breeding season of each stallion). No significant differences in the semen quality parameters between the fertile and the subfertile stallions in the non-breeding season were observed. However, in the breeding season the proportion of morphologically normal sperm, total motility, progressive motility, average path velocity (VAP), and curvilinear velocity (VCL) were significantly higher in the fertile group (P<0.05) when compared with the subfertile group. In addition, a significant seasonal variation in the proportion of morphological normal sperm was found in the fertile group between the breeding and the non-breeding season (P<0.05). Moreover, significant seasonal variations (P<0.05) in CASA parameters of mean VAP, straight line velocity (VSL), and beat-cross frequency (BCF) were observed in the fertile and the subfertile stallions, which tended to be lower in the non-breeding season. In conclusion, differences between the fertile and the subfertile stallions were observed only in the breeding season, and a few of CASA-derived parameters seemed to be significantly lower during the non-breeding season in both the fertile and the subfertile stallions.

scholarly journals The effect of varicocele on semen quality in boars exposed to heat stress1

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 293-298
Author(s):  
Tasha R Gruhot ◽  
Lea A Rempel ◽  
Brett R White ◽  
Benny E Mote
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Swine Industry ◽  
Maternal Line ◽  
Component Trait ◽  
Potential Marker ◽  
Quality Issues

Abstract Semen quality has a dramatic impact on reproductive efficiency in the swine industry, influencing both conception rate and litter size. The objective of this study was to assess whether the presence of varicocele hinders semen quality in both thermoneutral and heat stress (HS) conditions. At approximately 6 mo of age, ultrasonography was used to measure left and right pampiniform plexus area in order to detect varicocele in maternal line boars at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Between 10 and 12 mo of age, semen was collected from each boar (n = 28) twice weekly. Boars were collected under thermoneutral conditions, were then heat stressed for 7 d to exacerbate any semen quality issues, and semen was collected post-HS for 6 wk. Sperm characteristics were determined by computer-assisted semen analysis. The presence of varicocele had a significant effect on sperm concentration (P = 0.04) and trended toward significance for mean sperm head area (P = 0.06) throughout the duration of the study. An interaction existed between varicocele and collection time point at weeks 2–5 post-HS for distal droplet percentage, suggesting that boars with varicocele were possibly more susceptible to heat-stress-induced semen quality issues than boars without varicocele. Moreover, semen quality was reduced in boars with versus without varicocele under both thermoneutral and HS conditions. Therefore, detection of varicocele by ultrasound could represent a potential marker of fertility in young boars or as a component trait in selection indices for fertility.

scholarly journals 221 Effect of age and rut period on the semen quality in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 48-49
Author(s):  
Elena Nikitkina ◽  
Artem Musidray ◽  
Anna Krutikova ◽  
Svetlana Timofeeva ◽  
Kirill Plemyashov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Reindeer Herding ◽  
Russian Science ◽  
Effect Of Age

Abstract Reindeer herding is a traditional activity of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic. Assisted reproductive technology in reindeer herding are under development. This is due to the difficulty of collecting reindeer sperm (Rangifer tarandus) in the Arctic. The aim of the work was to study the influence of age and rut period on the quality of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) sperm. Semen was collected in Taimyr in autumn 2017, 2018. Ejaculate volume, total (TM) and progressive motility (PM) and sperm concentration were evaluated. TM, PM and sperm concentration were measured by CASA (computer-assisted semen analysis). Sperm was not found in caudae epididymidae in males at the age of six months. The sperm was collected only from caudae epididymidae from males aged 1.5 and 2.5 years. Collecting of ejaculated semen is possible in males from 3.5 years of age. The volume of ejaculate increased from 0.3±0.09 ml (mean±SD) at the age of 3.5 years to 0.7±0.09 ml at the age of 5.5 years and older (P &lt; 0.05). Concentration of cells increased by 2 times in older males. It is known that reindeer sperm can be collected only during the rut. At the beginning and end of the rut, the collection of sperm by electroejaculation was not always successful, sperm was collected in 3 of 10 cases, while in the middle of the rut in 9 of 10 cases. There was no significant effect of the rut period on the ejaculate volume and sperm concentration. The lowest TM (51.1±2.16%) and PM (33.5±7.90%) were at the beginning of the rut, the highest at the end (73.0±5.02% and 59.0 ± 6,30%) (P &lt; 0.01). Thus, the effect of age and rutting period on the reindeer sperm was observed. Authors acknowledge financial support from Russian Science Foundation, Grant No:17-16-01023.

Comparison of normal sperm morphology outcomes from two different computer-assisted semen analysis systems

Andrologia ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Coetzee ◽  
N. Bermes ◽  
W. Krause ◽  
R. Menkveld
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Morphology ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Normal Sperm

scholarly journals Ejaculatory abstinence in semen analysis: does it make any sense?

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 263349412090688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shah Dupesh ◽  
Natarajan Pandiyan ◽  
Radha Pandiyan ◽  
Jeeva Kartheeswaran ◽  
Bhaskar Prakash
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Sperm Morphology ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
World Health ◽  
Semen Parameters ◽  
Motile Sperm ◽  
Normal Sperm ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ejaculatory Abstinence

Background: The precise effect of ejaculatory abstinence on semen parameters is highly debatable, especially among subfertile men. Previous studies on effect of abstinence time on different semen parameters have reported controversial results. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the variance of semen parameters with different periods of ejaculatory abstinence among both a population of normozoospermic ( n = 1621) and oligozoospermic ( n = 416) Tamil men, presenting to a fertility clinic for an infertility evaluation ( N = 2037). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 2037 semen analysis reports involved grouping patients based on their ejaculatory abstinence, that is, <24 h, 1 to 2 days, 3 to 7 days, 8 to 15 days, 16 to 30 days, and >30 days. All semen parameters were assessed as per the World Health Organization (WHO, 2010) recommended guidelines. The unpaired two-tailed t-test and Welch’s analysis of variance (ANOVA) combined with Games–Howell post hoc test were used for statistical analysis. A p value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Result: A retrospective analysis of data ( N = 2037) identified no statistically significant differences in semen parameters of sperm concentration, percentage of progressively motile sperm, and normal sperm morphology in both normozoospermic and oligozoospermic individuals across different groups of abstinence. Semen volume was the only parameter that showed a statistically significant difference in both groups ( p < 0.0001). In both normozoospermic and oligozoospermic men, the group with <24 h abstinence had the highest mean percentage of progressively motile sperm and normal sperm morphology. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that ejaculatory abstinence may be highly arbitrary, and the recommendation of a strict 2- to 7-day abstinence per the WHO may be liberalized. In both normozoospermic and oligozoospermic men, semen parameters associated with an abstinence of <24 h were found to be noninferior as compared to longer ejaculatory abstinence intervals. These findings support in eliminating conservative recommendations as far as abstinence is concerned and suggest that patients may be asked to collect a semen sample on the day they present for an infertility evaluation, regardless of abstinence.

scholarly journals Relationship of arctic fox (Alopex lagopus L.) sperm morphology with age of males, sperm concentration, ejaculate volume and acrosin activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 741-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina Stasiak ◽  
Stanisław Kondracki ◽  
Maria Iwanina
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Morphology ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Arctic Fox ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Arctic Foxes ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Acrosin Activity ◽  
Sperm Acrosome

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the relationship of sperm morphology with age of males, ejaculate concentration and volume, as well as with acrosin activity determined in sperm acrosome extracts. The study used manually collected ejaculates from 9 male arctic foxes, including 6 young males aged one year and 3 older males (between 3 and 5 years of age). All of the 39 ejaculates used in the study were classified as normal based on motility exceeding 70%. The ejaculates collected from the foxes were evaluated for volume, sperm concentration and frequency of morphological changes including primary and secondary defects. The spermiograms of the male arctic foxes were classified according to a six-grade subjective scale. In addition, acrosin activity was determined in the sperm acrosome extracts. The data were analysed using the criteria of male age, sperm concentration, ejaculate volume, and acrosin activity. The morphology of arctic fox spermatozoa was dependent on the age of the male. A greater number of morphologically altered spermatozoa tended to occur in the ejaculates of young foxes, which were in their first breeding season. In addition, statistical analysis revealed positive relationships between the frequency of morphological changes in sperm and their ejaculate concentration. In contrast, there were no significant correlations between the percentages of morphologically changed spermatozoa and the ejaculate volume and the content of acrosin, which is an indicator of acrosomal integrity. Semen quality is dependent on the number of sperm in ejaculate with morphological defects which prevent oocyte fertilization. Therefore, morphological assessment of semen, which covers both the number and type of morphological changes, is highly useful when selecting appropriate males for reproduction.

scholarly journals Assessment of Sperm Quality - A Light Microscope Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 1417-1421
Author(s):  
Jyothi A. Raj ◽  
Heera Sankar ◽  
Sagarika Mahapatra ◽  
Ashima Binny
Keyword(s):  
Light Microscope ◽  
Sperm Morphology ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Complete Evaluation ◽  
Normal Sperm ◽  
Middle Piece ◽  
Sperm Counts ◽  
Work Up

BACKGROUND Semen analysis is an integral part of work up for infertility in men, with sperm morphology being an important qualitative parameter. Qualitative defects can affect any part of the sperm and are classified as defects in the head, middle piece, and tail, based on morphology. The focus of the study was to assess qualitative defects in sperms by light microscopy, in semen with normal sperm counts. METHODS This study is hospital based, descriptive, retrospective study. Of the semen samples received in the clinical laboratory, fifty with normal sperm counts were included in the study and processed according to standard protocol. For evaluation of qualitative defects by sperm morphology, smears were fixed in ethanol, stained with Papanicolaou stain [PAP], and assessed under light microscope. RESULTS The 50 semen samples included in the study had sperm counts ranging from 15 to 80 million / ml. Thirty samples had less than 10 % abnormal forms, fourteen samples had 11 - 20 % abnormal forms, five samples had 21 - 30 % abnormal forms and one sample had 40 % abnormal sperms. Qualitative defects were classified as morphological abnormalities in head, neck, and tail. Of the fifty cases, most defects were found in the head, followed by those in the neck and tail. Common defects noted were double head (44 %), abnormal sized heads, and bent neck (48 %). Coiling was a common defect noted in the tail (10 %). Most sperms showed a combination of defects. CONCLUSIONS Qualitative defects in sperm morphology are often seen in samples with normal sperm counts. Assessment of microscopic characteristics of human spermatozoa is as important as count and motility in the complete evaluation and work-up of semen samples in cases of infertility. KEY WORDS Semen, Sperm, Quality, Microscopy, Morphology

scholarly journals Comparison of semen characteristics between indigenous and Amo breeds cockerel of Gombe State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2-1) ◽  
pp. 303-306
Author(s):  
Tijjani Haruna Usman ◽  
Saleh Mohammed Sir ◽  
Ma’aruf Bashir Sani
Keyword(s):  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Progressive Motility ◽  
Indigenous Breed ◽  
Normal Sperm ◽  
Abnormal Sperm ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Semen Characteristics ◽  
Genetically Improved ◽  
Abdominal Massage

The experiment was carried out to compare the semen characteristics of indigenous and Amo strains of cockerel at poultry unit of teaching and research farm of Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria. Semen samples were collected from nine indigenous and nine Amo breeds of cockerel at three days interval for two weeks using abdominal massage technique. Semen samples were examined macroscopically for semen colour, pH and ejaculation volume. Then, microscopic observation was carried for sperm concentration, mass motility, progressive motility, live and dead sperms percentage, normal and abnormal sperm, all for semen characteristics. The results showed a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) between mass motility, progressive motility, sperm concentration and head defects of 4.85 ± 0.27 to 4.37 ± 0.19, 95.13 ± 0.43 to 81.63 ± 1.15%, 4.93 ± 1.84 to 3.40 ± 1.07×109/ml and 2.96 ± 0.17 to 3.44 ± 0.12% for indigenous and Amo breeds of cockerel, respectively. There were no significant differences observed as semen colour, ejaculate volume, semen pH, live / dead normal sperm neck (mid-piece), tail defects and sperm total abnormalities were found to be 2.85 ± 0.07 to 2.00 ± 0.090.21 ± 0.17 to 0.20 ± 0.02 /ml, 88.85 ± 0.58 to 72.70 ± 0.54% /ml, 11.14 ± 0.58 to 27.29 ± 0.54%, 81.00 ± 0.78 to 66.22 ± 0.61%,9.03 ± 0.42 to 13.96 ± 0.47%, 9.70 ±  to 13.00 ± 0.30 and 21.70 ± 0.59 to 30.40 ± 0.53% for the indigenous and Amo breed groups of cockerel, respectively. It was concluded that semen quality characteristics could be differed between genetically improved (Amo strain) and indigenous breed of cockerels.

105 Increasing fertility of interspecific hybrid males using biotechnological approaches

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
A. Vetokh ◽  
A. Tadzhieva ◽  
B. Iolchiev ◽  
N. Volkova ◽  
V. Bagirov
Keyword(s):  
Dna Fragmentation ◽  
Interspecific Hybrid ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Differential Staining ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽  
Russian Science

The results of AI depend on many factors, with the quality of semen being one of the most important. Not all male hybrids can meet the requirements for semen quality, because they often have reduced fertility following cryopreservation. Thus, it is necessary to improve semen processing before use in AI. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using the “swim-up” flotation method to improve sperm quality of hybrid males of the Ovis genus. Semen from interspecific hybrid rams (1/4 Argali×3/4 Romanov, n=15; 1/8 Argali×7/8 Romanov, n=15) was freshly obtained, frozen–thawed, and processed by the swim-up method. Evaluation of sperm motility was determined using computer-assisted semen analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS vs.15.0 (ANOVA and t-test; SPSS Inc.). Semen was collected during the breeding season (October–December) via artificial vagina. Assessment of acrosome integrity was determined using differential staining with a Diachem diff-quick kit (NPF ABRIS+). The degree of sperm DNA fragmentation was determined using the acridine-orange test. The sperm freezing/thawing cycle was accompanied by sperm damage and an increase in the proportion of immobile sperm from 10 to 58%, with non-progressive movement increasing from 9 to 19.3%. The number of spermatozoa with abnormal morphology doubled, and the DNA fragmentation index increased from 16 to 26%. Use of the swim-up procedure allowed us to sort progressively motile spermatozoa. The content of progressively motile spermatozoa in the samples obtained from the supernatant was 86%, which was 2.3 times higher than in frozen–thawed sperm (P≤0,01). The obtained results show the effective use of the swim-up procedure to determine the quality of semen in hybrid rams. These studies were carried out with financial support from the Russian Science Foundation, grant No. 18-16-00079 and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

23 Sperm quality of Pure Spanish stallions is affected by inbreeding coefficient and age

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Y. Pirosanto ◽  
M. Valera ◽  
A. Molina ◽  
J. Dorado ◽  
S. Demyda-Peyrás
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Inbreeding Depression ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Inbreeding Coefficient ◽  
Semen Parameters ◽  
Computer Assisted

Inbreeding depression, a genetic condition produced by the mating of close-related individuals, has been associated with a reduction of fertility in several species. However, a loss in sperm quality was also associated with age. In horses, the few existing reports have described a tendency of both parameters to produce a negative effect on sperm quality. However, those reports were performed using a subjective evaluation of sperm motility. In the present study, a total of 692 ejaculates from 86 Pure Spanish stallions (PRE), aged between 3 and 22 years, were evaluated using a computer-assisted methodology to determine the effect of inbreeding in four semen parameters: free-gel volume (V), sperm concentration (C, by haemocytometer), and total (TM) and progressive (PM) sperm motility (by Spermvision sperm class analyser; Minitube). The inbreeding coefficient (F) was estimated using 300 000 PRE pedigree records approximately (minimum pedigree depth, eight equivalent complete generations; range, between 1 and 30.1%). Stallion, age, ejaculate, and season of semen collection were the variables included in the statistical model (general linear model), with ejaculate and season being the variables with a major effect (by variance components analysis). Our results showed that sperm concentration (r=−0.18; P&lt;0.0001) and volume (to a lesser extent) were reduced with advancing age, both showing a major decline after 15 years of age. To the contrary, sperm motility was not affected by age of the stallion. We also found a negative correlation between the inbreeding coefficient and ejaculate volume (r=−0.14; P&lt;0.001), with a marked decrease seen when F was between 7 and 20%. Also, a negative correlation was observed in PM (r=−0.08; P&lt;0.05), although to a lower extent. Conversely, C and TM were not affected by inbreeding depression (P&gt;0.05). In conclusion, our results demonstrated that high levels of inbreeding can compromise severely the sperm quality of the PRE stallion, which, subsequently, may have a negative influence on fertility. Ongoing studies using genomic data will help to detect genetic variants associated with stallion semen quality and how it is influenced by inbreeding in specific genomic regions.

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