4.7 Article

Development of a novel home sperm test

Journal

HUMAN REPRODUCTION
Volume 21, Issue 1, Pages 145-149

Publisher

OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dei330

Keywords

cervical mucus; home sperm device; hyaluronic acid; sperm function test; sperm penetration test

Ask authors/readers for more resources

BACKGROUND: The majority of men find the production of a semen sample an embarrassing and stressful experience. Consequently, the availability of an over-the-counter home sperm test, which would reliably and accurately allow the patient to obtain an assessment of fertility potential at their convenience, would be a major benefit. Our objective was to develop and evaluate a home sperm test that provides a visual estimate of the concentration of progressively motile sperm in a semen sample. METHODS: Three particular challenges are described (i) developing a visualization system; (ii) optimization of the detection limit; and (iii) controlling variation due to changes in ambient temperature. The accuracy of the device was tested against two reference methods: computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and a hyaluronate migration test (HMT). RESULTS: In 129 semen samples, where both reference methods agreed (positive or negative), the accuracy of the device was 95%. The observed likelihood ratio of 8.8 indicated that a sample showing a red line in the device was over eight times more likely to have a positive (normal) result in CASA and HMT than a sample without a red line. CONCLUSIONS: The final device provides a visual estimate of the concentration of progressively motile sperm in a semen sample using a test that is completed within approximately 1 h of production of the sample and can be used by the man in the comfort of his own home.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.7
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

No Data Available
No Data Available