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Digital holographic microscopy in human sperm imaging

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to use digital holographic microscopy (DHM) in human sperm imaging and compare quantitative phase contrast of sperm heads in normozoospermia (NZ) and oligoasthenozoospermia (OAT).

Methods

DHM spermatozoa imaging and repeated quantitative phase shift evaluation were used. Five NZ and 5 OAT samples were examined. Semen samples were examined by semen analysis and processed for DHM. Main outcome measures were maximum phase shift value of the sperm heads. Differences of the phase shift and in NZ and OAT samples were statistically tested.

Results

In NZ samples median phase shifts were in the range 2.72–3.21 rad and 2.00–2.15 in OAT samples. Differences among individual samples were statistically significant (p < 0.001) in both groups. Median phase shift according to sperm count was 2.90 rad in NZ samples and 2.00 rad in OAT samples. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Quantitative evaluation of the phase shift by DHM could provide new information on the exact structure and composition of the sperm head. At present, this technique is not established for clinical utility.

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Acknowledgements

Authors wish to thank Hana Uhlirova (born Janeckova), M.Sc., Ph.D. from the Institute of Physical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology for her kind and skillful technical assistance in DHM.

This work was supported by Internal Grant Agency (IGA) of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic-No. NS/9661-4.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, and Faculty Hospital, Obilni trh 11, 602 00, Brno, Czech Republic

    Igor Crha, Jana Zakova, Martin Huser, Pavel Ventruba & Eva Lousova

  2. Department of Functional Diagnostics and Rehabilitation, St. Anne’s Faculty Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic

    Michal Pohanka

Authors
  1. Igor Crha
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  2. Jana Zakova
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  3. Martin Huser
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  4. Pavel Ventruba
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  5. Eva Lousova
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  6. Michal Pohanka
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Igor Crha.

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Capsule

Quantitative evaluation of the phase shift by digital holographic microscopy could provide new information on the exact structure and composition of the sperm head.

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Crha, I., Zakova, J., Huser, M. et al. Digital holographic microscopy in human sperm imaging. J Assist Reprod Genet 28, 725–729 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9584-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9584-y

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