Andrology: Implementing comprehensive quality control in the andrology laboratory

Abstract

Comprehensive quality control procedures were integrated into the routine semen analysis workload of a large university-based andrology laboratory. Methods were chosen to match as far as possible those which have been used successfully for many years in disciplines such as clinical chemistry. Levey-Jennings and cusum charts were plotted in order to monitor the immunobead-binding test for antisperm antibodies and a video-taped control sample for computerized semen analysis. A cryopreserved semen control was also charted. Daily manual sperm counts were plotted against the corresponding computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) value. Multiple readings of 30 slides were used to monitor morphology assessments. Monthly means for morphology were also calculated regularly. Coefficients of variation were calculated for all variables and were found to be more appropriate for some aspects, such as CASA, than for others, such as morphology, when difference from the previous reading of the same slide was found to be more useful. These integrated quality control procedures had a direct influence on the production of results from the laboratory. Together with a high standard of technician training, comprehensive routine quality control based on repeated analyses of control samples is an effective way of assuring the validity of semen analysis results.

External quality control program for semen analysis: Spanish experience

“…This coincides with the results of other authors who have studied withinlaboratory variability (16) or between-laboratories variability (6) in sperm morphology. Thus, Coetzee et al (14) suggested a higher number of spermatozoa are analysed when strict morphologic criteria are applied.…”

“…This finding coincides with those of other studies (4,16,17) that have reported a lack of consistency between cryopreserved semen aliquots when these are used for internal or external quality control programmes. Thus, between the two types of samples suggested by the 1999 WHO manual for quality control concentration (cryopreserved semen and semen preserved with formalin) we chose the fixed semen pool suspension, because of its simple preparation, low cost and lower betweenlaboratories coefficient of variation.…”

The polypeptide backbone of recombinant human zona pellucida glycoprotein-3 initiates acrosomal exocytosis in human spermatozoa in vitro

“…The Hamilton-Thorne motility analyser (HTM model 2030 ; Hamilton-Thorn Research Inc, Danvers, MA, U.S.A.) was used to assess spermatozoa motility before and after the following experimental procedures (see Clements et al [15] for HTM set up and quality control measures).…”

“…The cytoplasm of E. coli does not favour the formation of di-sulphide bonds [34] ; human ZP3 contains 15 Cys residues, two of which are located in the signal sequence [15]. Fourteen of the 15 Cys residues found in the human ZP3 polypeptide are conserved in ZP3 primary sequences from a number of mammals, suggesting they may be involved in maintaining the structure of ZP3 [35].…”

Quality assurance and quality control in the laboratory andrology

“…There are several reasons: they can be expensive, they have their limitations, they require careful set-up, and they can be used for measurements of sperm motility only over a defined range of concentrations [24]. However, they are arguably easier for QC purposes than for a human observer because the same segments of videotape (or DVD) can be repeatedly run through them at regular intervals [25]. Although laboratory scientists can also observe videotapes or DVDs to check their performance (indeed, this is usually how external quality assurance specimens for sperm motility are distributed), they are not accustomed to looking at a TV screen in order to assess sperm motility and generally find it difficult.…”