SAMi is a CASA (computer assisted semen analysis) system developed by reproductive scientists for routine use in an assisted conception or pathology lab setting or for research. Sperm quality data is validated and supported by peer reviewed publication showing parity with the haemocytometer (World Health Organization recommended). Manpower savings of on average 14-15 minutes per sample are achievable using SAMi when compared to WHO recommended (WHO, 2010) methods for sperm concentration and motility. With the bonus of considerably improved reproducibility and objective measures of motility.
What has happened to ‘Sperminator’ ?
Sperminator was the name of the prototype originally developed before coming to market in 2013. The name stuck until re-launched in the spring of 2017.
Almost all manual semen analysis methods lack accuracy and reproducibility and with poor standardization across the globe do not give confidence to users of any laboratory service whether they are patients or clinicians. Even those recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2010) are prone to error with especially motility being nothing more than an ‘educated guess’. The WHO (2010) continue to recommend the haemocytometer as method of choice and whilst the haemocytometer is not only relatively inexpensive and reliable, like any method it is not without limitations and associated error including: Differences in manufacturing standards, age and quality of chambers, application of the cover glass, to dilution and mathematics. All of these contribute to the ‘often’ poor results shown in external quality assurance (EQA) scheme where often wide-ranging sperm counts can be given for the same sample (see below)
EQA scheme in the UK showing a wide range of sperm counts for the same sample
In the absence of any other recommendation a good quality CASA system should be demonstrated as giving results which equate to the haemocytometer which is exactly what SAMi can do – see validation below.
Sperm motility is the only measure of sperm function incorporated into routine semen analysis yet recommendations for its estimation has arguably become less accurate over time. Uncertainty arises from the subjective grading of sperm swimming speed ‘by eye’ and the lack of an industry ‘gold standard’ methodology or suitable calibrant which would form the basis of any validation exercise. Even the experienced operator, studying motile sperm using microscopy cannot avoid focusing on a moving object or moreover studying the field for several minutes during which time many motile sperm will have entered and left. This leaves only the non-progressive fraction enumerated with any accuracy and an over-counting of motile sperm, which gets compounded in samples with higher density and sperm with high velocity. Despite the demonstration over the years of the importance of sperm motility, the current WHO recommendation of reporting of only 3 grades of motility is misleading since it offers only the % of sperm swimming forward but not how well they swim and as a consequence reduced the measurement’s its clinical value. Reliable CASA such as SAMi is the only sensible means of obtaining objective measurements of sperm motility.