Journal of Andrology
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Agarwal, A.
Right arrow Articles by Nelson, D. R.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Agarwal, A.
Right arrow Articles by Nelson, D. R.
Journal of Andrology, Vol. 24, No. 3, May/June 2003
Copyright © American Society of Andrology

New Semen Quality Scores Developed by Principal Component Analysis of Semen Characteristics

ASHOK AGARWAL*, RAKESH K. SHARMA* AND DAVID R. NELSON{dagger}

From the * Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility, and Sexual Function, Urological. Institute and Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, and the{dagger} Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio.

Correspondence to: Dr Ashok Agarwal, Director, Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility, and Sexual Function, Urological Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave, Desk A19.1, Cleveland, OH 44195 (e-mail: agarwaa{at}ccf.org).


The purpose of this study was to determine whether semen characteristics can be reduced to 2 semen quality (SQ) scores and whether these new scores can help the clinician in assessing the reproductive outcome. A cross-sectional sample of 250 patients seeking infertility treatment were analyzed for semen characteristics. In addition, 177 male-factor patients (prostatitis with infection, n = 40; varicocele, n = 77; varicocele with infections, n = 11; and vasectomy reversal, n = 43) were also assessed. Sperm motion kinetics were measured by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) (concentration, percent motility, curvilinear velocity [VCL], straight-line velocity [VSL], average path velocity [VAP], linearity [LIN], and amplitude of lateral head displacement [ALH]). Sperm morphology was assessed by both World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and Tygerberg strict criteria. The principal component analysis model was used to construct an SQ score and a relative semen quality (RQ) score. A separate set of 25 normal donors was included as controls to determine normal ranges of the semen scores. Among the patient samples, SQ and RQ scores (median and 25% and 75% interquartile values) were 89.9, 25.1, and 130.4 and 106.1, 45.2, and 165.9, respectively. The SQ score for the varicocele and varicocele with infection groups was comparable (78.6 ± 17.4 and 84.8 ± 20.6) but significantly different from the control (100 ± 10, P < .001 and .03). Vasectomy reversal patients had an SQ score of 78.2 plus or minus 16.8 that was significantly lower than controls (P < .001). The correlation among semen characteristics allows for the efficient combining of semen measures. The composite scores can summarize overall SQ and quantity. Both SQ and RQ scores provide meaningful information on the quality of semen specimens for the clinician.

     Key words: Computer-assisted semen analysis, infertility, spermatozoa, morphology




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J AndrolHome page
I. N. Martinez, J. M. Moran, and F. J. Pena
Two-Step Cluster Procedure After Principal Component Analysis Identifies Sperm Subpopulations in Canine Ejaculates and Its Relation to Cryoresistance
J Androl, July 1, 2006; 27(4): 596 - 603.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2003 by The American Society of Andrology.