The Importance of the Sperm Motility Classes - Future Directions

ABSTRACT

The 2010 WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen has established a new classification of sperm motility, as follows:

a) progressive motility, which includes both forward progression (rapid and slow) and sluggish motility;

b) non progressive motility.

Unfortunately, this new classification is insufficient to allow for detailed evaluation of the sperm kinetic properties seen in clinical practice, especially with regard to forward motility.

Computer Aided Sperm Analysis Systems are still not available in all andrology laboratories, even though 20 years have passed since their introduction.

Therefore, our group has created a dedicated software, the Superimposed Image Analysis System, which superimposes a sequence of images on a monitor, producing a final image with a motion effect.

This system allows for the objective evaluation of the tracks described by spermatozoa and can subdivide sperm into four motility classes based on straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity and linearity values.

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