In Andrology ; h5-index 36.0
BACKGROUND : The Sperm Chromatin Dispersion (SCD) assay is commonly used to assess sperm DNA integrity. This approach is time-consuming, demonstrates poor chromatin preservation, and provides an ambiguous and unstandardized evaluation of fragmented chromatin.
OBJECTIVES : We aimed to 1) develop an optimized SCD assay with reduced operation time, 2) validate R10 test accuracy by comparing it to a conventional SCD assay, and 3) standardize the sperm DNA fragmentation analysis procedure by integrating artificial intelligence optical microscopic (AIOM) technology.
MATERIALS AND METHODS : This cross-section study included 620 semen samples. Aliquots were analyzed by a conventional Halosperm® G2 assay (G2) and LensHooke® R10 assay (R10). The DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was scored manually, and R10 slides were automatically determined by a LensHooke® X12 PRO semen analysis system (X12).
RESULTS : We demonstrated significant improvements in total assay time (40 vs. 72 min, p < 0.001) and in the halo-cytological resolution using R10 compared to G2. Comparing the G2 and R10 DFI results demonstrated good agreement between the two methods (Spearman's rank correlation, rho = 0.8517, p < 0.0001). We introduced the integration of an auto-calculation system to diagnose sperm DNA fragmentation. X12 interpretation showed excellent agreement with manual interpretation (Spearman's rank correlation, rho = 0.9323, p < 0.0001), but had a low coefficient of variation compared to manual interpretation (4% for R10 by X12 vs. 19% for R10 by manual scoring vs. 25% for G2 by manual scoring). DFI was more correlated with total motility (coefficients = -0.3607, p < 0.0001) than sperm morphology and was positively associated with asthenozoospermic semen samples (p = 0.0001).
CONCLUSION : The R10 SCD assay combined with the X12 semen analysis system is faster, more objective, and provides standardization for sperm DNA fragmentation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Hsu Cheng-Teng, Lee Chun-I, Huang Chun-Chia, Wang Tse-En, Chang Hui-Chen, Chang Li-Sheng, Lee Maw-Sheng
2023-Mar-03
artificial intelligence, computer-assisted semen analysis, male infertility, semen quality, sperm DNA breaks
