Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA)



The use of computer asisted semen analysis has advanced the ability to study and understand sperm function as it relates to human infertility. The major advances have been in the ability to more accurately determine sperm concentration (counts) and motility (movement). Generally, sperm are "looked" at by a computerized digitizing tablet through a microscope. The computer has been "taught" by the laboratory personnel what sperm look like, and how they move. When the computer then "sees" a sperm under the microscope, it is able to draw a digitized picture of each individual sperm, including the speed and path this sperm takes while moving under the microscope. A great deal has been learned about the normal and abnormal "micro"characteristics of sperm employing this method. The method is, however, not foolproof. The computer is only as intelligent as it's programmer. Small changes in the computer program can alter the sperm calculations significantly. The computers must constantly be monitored and updated. In most laboratories, all grossly abnormal CASA assays are always verified by both a repeat analysis as well as with a "hands on" human second look opinion. We feel that any abnormal sperm count must be verified by a manual counting and assesment method.

Monday, December 24, 2007

The Gujarati Boy

One day many years ago at a school in South London a teacher said to the class of 5-year-olds, "I'll give GBP 20 to the child who can tell me who was the most respected man, whom people consider God, who ever lived."

An Irish boy put his hand up and said, "It was St. Patrick." The teacher said, "Sorry Alan, that's not correct."

Then a Scottish boy put his hand up and said, "It was St. Andrew." The teacher replied, "I'm sorry, Hamish, that's not right either.

Finally, a Gujarati boy raised his hand and said, "It was Jesus Christ." The teacher said, "That's absolutely right, Jayant, come up here and I'll give you the GBP 20."

As the teacher was giving Jayant his money, she said, "You know Jayant, since you are Gujarati, I was very surprised you said Jesus Christ." Jayant replied, "Yes, in my heart I knew it was Lord Krishna, but business is business!"

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Klinefelter's Syndrome





Klinefelter's Syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by infertility, abnormal male breast tissue development (gynecomastia) and small, firm testes. It is the most common cause of azoospermia (no sperm production). Klinefelter's Syndrome is caused by an abnormal number of sex chromosomes. Whereas a normal male genetic make-up includes one "X" chromosome and one "Y" chromosome, in patients with Klinefelter's Syndrome, an extra "X" chromosome is present, resulting in three (XXY) sex chromosomes. Thought at one time to be hopelessly infertile, it has been found that these men can have small amounts of sperm production occuring within the testicle. Our Center has successfully recovered sperm in men with this disorder who have gone on to father normal, healthy children. It is important that all men with very low or absent sperm counts be tested for Klinefelter's Syndrome before offering IVF and ICSI.