Abstract:
It is apparent that sperm parameters like concentration,
motility and morphology are not definitive/adequate
fertility measures as sperm is a heterogeneous mixture,
and sperm quality is determined by only what is visible
in the microscopic field. Objective was to assess the
quality variation among different aliquots of an ejaculate
and present a concept that may allow interpreting
the results in such a way as to determine the clinical
usefulness of the semen analysis more accurately.
A laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted
at Teaching Hospital Jaffna’s Semiology laboratory from
July to September 2023 after obtaining Institutional
Ethical Review committee approval, analysing 102
semen ejaculates collected through masturbation. The
sample was analysed using a Makler counting chamber,
and Data was analysed using SPSS version 24, with
statistical significance set at P< 0.05.
The three different aliquots obtained from the same
ejaculate revealed no significant difference from
each other for all three variables like Concentration
(P=0.957), Progressive Motility (P=0.810) and Motility
(P=0.832). Similarly, the mean and fifth percentile plus
95% confidence level were not significantly different
(P= 0.782, P= 0.328, P= 0.370).
When using the Makler counting chamber, the mean
value calculated from one aliquot per ejaculate counted
on three strips of ten squares should be acceptable, and
at least two different ejaculates should be analysed
when interpreting the results based on World Health
Organization (WHO, 2021) reference limits.
