Appendix 11: Concentration Standard: Counting Chambers - MES SQA-V Gold User Manual

User Guide Version 2.60 I-button WHO 5th

Appendix 11: Concentration Standard: Counting Chambers

A number of commercially available counting chambers are used in laboratories for manually counting sperm
cells. These chambers vary by depth and one type requires a diluted sample. It has been clinically established
that counts vary by approximately 30% depending on the chamber used.
The SQA-V permits the user to select the type of chamber the laboratory has implemented as a standard for
manual semen analysis. Once the concentration standard (CONC. STANDARD) has been selected the SQA-V will
automatically run semen samples based on that standard.
SQA-V Set-Up:
Select SERVICE > SERVICE DATA.
Log into V-Sperm and go to SET-UP > SQA-V > CONTINUE
Select a CONC. (concentration) STANDARD based on aligning the system with the options shown in
the table below:
CONC. STANDARD #1
CONC. STANDARD #2
Commercially available counting chambers are divided into two unique groups:
Standard #1: 10-20 micron depth and do not require sample dilution.
Standard #2: 100 micron depth (haemocytometers) that require sample dilution.
The table below classifies some commercially available chambers:
CHAMBER STANDARD #1
Makler
Micro-Cell
Fixed Cover slip disposable chambers
Revision 21_Sep_2015
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CHAMBER STANDARD #2
Beurker-Tuek
Buerker
Fuchs-Rosenthal
Fuchs-Rosenthal (modified)
Improved Neubauer
Neubauer
Malassez
Thoma
Thoma Modified
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