J Korean Androl Soc.  1997 Jun;15(1):51-58.

Analysis of Sperm Morphology in Fertile Korean men Using Kruger Criteria

• Lee HW
• Kim CM
• Kim SW
• Paick JS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sperm morphology assessment is a part of semen analysis, byt the evaluation of morphology used sometimes even in repeated studies by same observers varies widely between observers and laboratories. Recently, Kruger et al introduced a new morphology analysis method using strict criteria. The results of this method have good prognostic value for IVF,hamster test. and the hemizona assay. PURPOSE: We used the Kruger strict morphology criteria to evaluate th validity and reproducibility of this method, to estimate the normal values for fertile Korean men, and to obtain the basic data for development of computer-assisted assessment of sperm morphology.
METHODS
Semen samples were obtained from 15 fertile Korean volunteers, and two observers performed sperm morphology analyses using strict criteria with the Diff-Quik staining method. A calibrated transparent overlay was used to distinguish between the various morphological classes.
RESULTS
The percentages of normal sperm reported by the two observers were 11-23% (15.93+/-3.22%) and 10-19% (14.67+/-3.06%). The Spearman rank correlation coefficients for seven duplicate evaluations by one observer was 0.954 (p=0.0008). The coefficients of variation for eight repeated evaluations of three samples were also within acceptable limits (7.45-15.15).
CONCLUSION
There was good correlation between observers and in repeat analyses by the same in semen morphology analysis using strict criteria. These results will be used as basic data to develop computer-assisted assessment of sperm morphology in our laboratory.

MeSH Terms

Fertility
Humans
Male
Reference Values
Semen
Semen Analysis
Spermatozoa*
Volunteers