CASA

What is a semen analysis?

A semen analysis is a test performed to screen for male fertility problems. In order to perform a semen analysis, a man must collect s semen specimen into a sterile cup. This is usually done by masturbation though in some cases, using a special condom, a semen specimen can be obtained during intercourse. For many years, evaluation of the semen has been performed by a laboratory technician looking through a microscope and manually counting sperm.

A standard or manual semen analysis will give only a few parameters:

• Volume of ejaculate
• Concentration of sperm
• Motility (Percent of sperm which are moving)
• Progressive motility (usually given a score ranging from 1 (poor) to 4 (best)
• pH (the acidity of the fluid)
• Morphology (appearance of the sperm)

What is a computer assisted semen analysis?

At IVF 1, we use a sophisticated electronic imaging system to visualize the sperm and an advanced software program to evaluate dozens of individual sperm parameters. This is sometimes referred to as CASA or computer assisted semen analysis.

The semen specimen is placed on the stage of the microscope. This microscope has a high resolution video camera attached. The video camera feeds data into the computer where it undergoes analysis by software. A computerized semen analysis will give many more parameters that are useful to the fertility specialist. More importantly, the results are accurate and reproducible. Any technician in the laboratory can click the mouse on the computer and get the same results as any other technician. Learn about the measurements of sperm motility and sperm morphology by clicking the links below.

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