As with any other automated system, Sperminator® should not be viewed as a 'replacement' for trained and competent staff but simply as a tool to assist in the everyday running of the ART laboratory. Validation of the system has been undertaken by experienced healthcare scientists and it is clear that the most reliable data will only be obtained if users adhere to the following guiding principles.
The system is operated by fully trained scientific staff
The settings are checked and the system regularly calibrated
The microscope image is sharp and has suitable contrast
The number of individual slides/samples taken from the specimen is increased
The number of microscopic fields (and sperm) analysed is increased
Specimens/samples are well mixed
Samples are diluted in if the initial sperm concentration measurement exceeds 80 millions per ml