Semen analysis

Abstract

A method for measuring the total sperm concentration (TSC) in a sample is described and includes: (i) placing the sample in a transparent container between a synchronically pulsed light source and a photodetector; and (ii) measuring the optical absorbance of the sample in the range of 800-1000 nm, the TSC of the sample being proportional to the absorbance. Also described is a sampling device for use in optically analyzing a biological fluid, a method for measuring motile sperm concentration (MSC) in a semen sample, a method of determining the average velocity (AV) of sperm cells and a system for analyzing semen quality including means for measuring TSC, means for measuring MSC; and a video visualization system.

1 - 29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . A system or method for determining semen parameters selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) a method for measuring motile sperm concentration (MSC) in a semen sample comprising: 
 (a) placing said sample in a transparent container between a light source and a photodetector, wherein the sperm motion in the sample modulates the light transmitted therethrough, thereby generating waveforms of an analog voltage signal;  
 (b) sampling the signal so as to produce a plurality of signal samples;  
 (c) selecting acceptable signals by a waveform selection procedure;  
 (d) calculating an absolute value for each of the acceptable signal samples;  
 (e) calculating an average a of the absolute values; and  
 (f) calculating the MSC based on the average a;  
   (ii) a method of determining the average velocity (AV) of sperm cells comprising: 
 (a) obtaining a Sperm Motility Index (SMI) of the sperm cells as defined in U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,953;  
 (b) obtaining the MSC;  
 (c) calculating AV using an algebraic expression involving the ratio SMI/MSC; and  
   (iii) a system for analyzing semen quality comprising: 
 (a) means for measuring the total sperm concentration (TSC);  
 (b) means for measuring MSC; and  
 (c) a video visualization system.  
   
   
   
       31 . The method for measuring MSC according to  claim 30  wherein the MSC is calculated according to the algebraic expression MSC=Aa 2 +Ba.  
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 31  wherein the MSC is calculated according to the algebraic expression MSC=0.0047a 2 +0.869a.  
   
   
       33 . The method of determining the AV of sperm cells according to  claim 30  wherein MSC is determined by a method comprising: 
 (i) placing said sample in a transparent container between a light source and a photodetector, wherein the sperm motion in the sample modulates the light transmitted therethrough, thereby generating waveforms of an analog voltage signal;    (ii) sampling the signal so as to produce a plurality of signal samples;    (iii) selecting acceptable signals by a waveform selection procedure;    (iv) calculating an absolute value for each of the acceptable signal samples;    (v) calculating an average a of the absolute values; and    (vi) calculating the MSC based on the average a.    
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 33  wherein AV is calculated from the following equation: AV=0.001X 3 +0.1X 2 +0.89X, where X=SMI/MSC.  
   
   
       35 . A method for determining the percentage of sperm in a sample having progressive motility comprising the method of determining the AV of sperm cells according to  claim 30  where AV>5 microns/sec.  
   
   
       36 . The system for analyzing semen quality according to  claim 30  further comprising a sampling device for use in optically analyzing a biological fluid comprising: 
 (i) an aspirator for aspirating the fluid into the device;    (ii) a thin measuring chamber having an upper and lower wall, the distance between said walls being in the range of 100-500 microns;    (iii) a thick measuring chamber having an upper and lower wall, the distance between said walls being in the range of 0.5-3 cm; and    (iv) means for excluding air from said measuring chambers, 
 wherein the upper and lower walls of said thin and thick measuring chambers are transparent, and the thin measuring chamber and the thick measuring chamber are in fluid communication.  
   
   
   
       37 . The system for analyzing semen quality according to  claim 30  wherein said means for measuring TSC uses a method for measuring the TSC in a sample comprising: 
 (i) placing said sample in a transparent container between a synchronically pulsed light source and a photodetector; and    (ii) measuring the optical absorbance of said sample in the range of 800-1000 nm, the TSC of the sample being proportional to said absorbance.    
   
   
       38 . The system for analyzing semen quality according to  claim 30  wherein said means for measuring MSC uses a method for measuring motile sperm concentration (MSC) in a semen sample comprising: 
 (i) placing said sample in a transparent container between a light source and a photodetector, wherein the sperm motion in the sample modulates the light transmitted therethrough, thereby generating waveforms of an analog voltage signal;    (ii) sampling the signal so as to produce a plurality of signal samples;    (iii) selecting acceptable signals by a waveform selection procedure;    (iv) calculating an absolute value for each of the acceptable signal samples;    (v) calculating an average a of the absolute values; and    (vi) calculating the MSC based on the average a.