The influence of sample volume applied to the Makler sperm counting chamber upon the measured concentration of latex beads: A multi-centre study

Walls, Melanie; Zuvela, Emily; Ayres, Cheryl; Sherrin, D.A.; Chhotani, Asma; Butler, Liz; Peirce, Kelli; Krapez, Jenny; Parker, Renae; Mooy, Cherise; Mohan, P; Catt, Sally; Wiltshire, Matthew; Bakos, Hassan W.; Whyte, Mary; Matson, Phillip

doi:10.1016/s2305-0500(13)60051-2

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…This characterization is crucial for designing optimal new microfluidic devices in view of medical applications 52 . In addition it could be helpful for testing the good performance of the present protocols of semen analysis and the clinical laboratories accreditation, which are using non-propelled latex beads 53 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…52 In addition, it could be helpful for testing the good performance of the present protocols of semen analysis and the clinical laboratories accreditation, which are using nonpropelled latex beads. 53 It is also instructive to investigate the speed of sperm cells in the confined environment. Let us first describe the three different approaches typically used in the biomedical community for characterizing the sperm cell velocity: (1) the VCL, which is the curvilinear velocity of the …”

Section: -3mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Disrupting the wall accumulation of human sperm cells by artificial corrugation

et al. 2015

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Many self-propelled microorganisms are attracted to surfaces. This makes their dynamics in restricted geometries very different from that observed in the bulk. Swimming along walls is beneficial for directing and sorting cells, but may be detrimental if homogeneous populations are desired, such as in counting microchambers. In this work, we characterize the motion of human sperm cells ∼60 μm long, strongly confined to ∼25 μm shallow chambers. We investigate the nature of the cell trajectories between the confining surfaces and their accumulation near the borders. Observed cell trajectories are composed of a succession of quasi-circular and quasi-linear segments. This suggests that the cells follow a path of intermittent trappings near the top and bottom surfaces separated by stretches of quasi-free motion in between the two surfaces, as confirmed by depth resolved confocal microscopy studies. We show that the introduction of artificial petal-shaped corrugation in the lateral boundaries removes the tendency of cells to accumulate near the borders, an effect which we hypothesize may be valuable for microfluidic applications in biomedicine.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: -3mentioning

confidence: 99%

Disrupting the wall accumulation of human sperm cells by artificial corrugation

et al. 2015

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“…Although the WHO ( 2010 ) recommends the use of an improved capacity Neubauer haemocytometer to count immobilized (diluted in deionized water) sperm to determine concentration, laboratories overall persist using a Makler counting chamber because of unfamiliarity, habit or practical ease, disregarding the improved accuracy of the recommended Neubauer chamber. Indeed, overgoing volume errors when pipetting (3 - 10μl admitted volume) allowing highly motile sperm to ‘reservoir’ under the counting grid and the risk of assessing artificially increased concentration and motility if a sample’s assessment is performed before its consistent distribution under the chamber’s empty space (inverse correlation between time elapsed at sample inclusion and assessment) are main sources of error, inaccuracy and inter-operator variablity when using a Makler chamber ( Walls et al, 2012 ; Franken, 2013 ; Björndahl et al, 2016 ; Tomlinson, 2016 ; Ahadi et al, 2019 ; Zuvela and Matson, 2020 ). In spite of this, the capacity of simultaneously estimate sperm concentration and motility, actual outline of simplified sperm assessment, permitting the successive run-up of several samples in a shorter time, is a practical perk still favouring the use of a Makler chamber in most laboratories, nevertheless.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simplified sperm testing devices: a possible tool to overcome lack of accessibility and inconsistency in male factor infertility diagnosis. An opportunity for low- and middle- income countries.

Onofre

Geenen

Cox

et al. 2021

Facts Views Vis ObGyn

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Background: Manual semen assessment (MSA) is a key component in a male’s fertility assessment. Clinicians rely on it to make diagnostic and treatment decisions. When performed manually, this routine laboratory test is prone to variability due to human intervention which can lead to misdiagnosis and consequently over- or under-treatment. For standardization, continuous training, quality control (QC) programs and pricy Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) systems have been proposed, yet, without resolving intra- and inter-laboratory variability. In response, promising simplified sperm testing devices, able to provide cost-effective point-of-care male infertility diagnosis are prospected as a plausible solution to resolve variability and increase access to sperm testing. Materials and methods: A throughout literature research for semen testing, sperm analysis, smart-phone assisted semen analysis, ‘at-home’ semen testing, male infertility, infertility in developing countries, infertility in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and quantitative sperm analysis was performed. A total of 14 articles, specific to ‘at-home’ simplified sperm assessment, were included to treat the core subject. Results: Continuous training and consistent QC, are sine qua none conditions to achieve accurate and comparable MSA. Compliance does not rule-out variability, nevertheless. Emerging simplified sperm assessment devices are an actual alternative to resolve lack of standardization and accessibility to sperm analysis. YO®, SEEM®, and ExSeed® are commercially available, user-friendly smartphone-based devices which can accurately measure volume, sperm concentration (millions/ml) and total motile sperm count. More broadly, by cost-effectiveness, availability, accuracy and convenient application, these devices could effectively sort patients for first-line artificial reproduction treatments such as intrauterine insemination. Conclusions: Accuracy and cost-effectiveness make smart-phone based sperm testing devices a practical and realistic solution to overcome variability in MSA. Importantly, these tools represent an actual opportunity to standardize and affluence male subfertility diagnosis and treatment, especially in LMIC. However, before clinical application is possible, guidelines, further testing with special attention on accuracy in washed sperm, availability, cost-benefit and reliability are required.

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“…This 0.1 ml of 10% formalin in isotonic saline was added to the remaining neat (nondiluted) ejaculate sample. The sperm concentration sample collected in 10% formalin in isotonic saline was determined with a Makler chamber (Sukcharoen et al ., 1994; Walls et al ., 2012). Once a concentration was measured, the total number of spermatozoa was determined by multiplying by the dilution factor.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Exogenous Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Administration on Plasma Testosterone and Semen Production in the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)

Perry

Camlic²,

Lierz

et al. 2023

Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery

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Gamete collection, gamete preservation, hormone analysis, and artificial insemination have become integral parts of in situ and ex situ conservation programs for threatened and endangered species, and while these methods have been used to assist conservation in many different vertebrate groups, limited work has been done in reptiles. For example, semen collection in lizards has only recently been described and determined to be safe. The purpose of this study was to determine effective doses of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for increasing plasma testosterone concentrations in the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus), as well as to determine whether the rise in testosterone impacts semen collection. A cross-over design was used. Chameleons were given injections of 100 IU, 200 IU, and 300 IU of hCG/animal and serial plasma testosterone measurements were collected over 24 hours. 100 IU/animal was determined to increase plasma testosterone concentrations similar to 200 IU, and 300 IU/animal. Following this, we determined weekly injections of hCG (100 IU/animal) would maintain elevated testosterone concentrations over 30 days. Additionally, we determined that elevated testosterone secondary to repeated injections of hCG decreased testicular size as determined by ultrasound. Repeated hCG injections and long-term elevation of plasma testosterone concentrations did not increase the likelihood to collect a semen sample with electroejaculation or improve ejaculate quality. Further research is needed to exogenously stimulate spermatogenesis and increase ejaculate quality to perform timed semen collections in male reptile species.

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The influence of sample volume applied to the Makler sperm counting chamber upon the measured concentration of latex beads: A multi-centre study

Cited by 7 publications

References 11 publications

Disrupting the wall accumulation of human sperm cells by artificial corrugation

Disrupting the wall accumulation of human sperm cells by artificial corrugation

Simplified sperm testing devices: a possible tool to overcome lack of accessibility and inconsistency in male factor infertility diagnosis. An opportunity for low- and middle- income countries.

Effects of Exogenous Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Administration on Plasma Testosterone and Semen Production in the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)

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