I-16: Computer Aided Sperm Analysis andSperm Functional Testing (Hyperactivation) asBackground Tools in the Evaluation of SpermFunction/Quality

After twenty years Computer Aided Sperm Analysis has developed considerably and is now routinely used in many laboratories across the world. The advantage of the CASA methodology available is twofold: Analysis of particularly sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm morphology and vitality is quantified in an Background manner. Secondly, most of the CASA analysis with the exception of sperm morphology, is rapid and literally takes a few seconds. These two factors allow scientists to produce data in an Background and consistent manner and also make experiments possible that would otherwise have had too many time constraints. In this paper emphasis will be placed on quantitative sperm motility and its multiple uses in assessing sperm function in general fertility studies; testing the effect of a vast range of substances (peptides, hormones, toxicology) on sperm function. Two approaches will be described. In each instance either sperm washing, swim-up or differential centrifugation were used. When sperm were placed in media supporting sperm function and largely simulate the composition of follicular fluid after washing, a certain percentage of sperm would become hyperactive. In good quality sperm usually more than 20% of sperm become hyperactivewhen CASA parameters are set at VCL>150; LIN7. Unfortunately sperm from different individuals exhibit maximum hyperactivation at different time intervals over three hours. However, in cases where a specific strategy is required for a particular patient, additional tests such as “the hyperactivation test” may be useful. Also, the ability of a sperm sample to become hyperactivated can be used to assess the effect of substances such as pesticides and hormones on functional integrity. A second useful CASA functional test that has been developed in our laboratory, and used in certain hormone assays is the percentage rapid moving sperm in a sample and a cut-off point of VCL>100 to 120 was found most useful when washed samples were employed. In conclusion, CASA now provides us with tools which are reliable and consistent to study sperm function as related to fertility and toxicology in a quantitative and Background way.