FRI-16 MICROSCOPE, HEMOCYTOMETER AND SEXUAL REVOLUTION: THE HISTORY OF SEMEN ANALYSIS

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You have accessJournal of UrologyHistory of Urology: History Forum I1 Apr 2016FRI-16 MICROSCOPE, HEMOCYTOMETER AND SEXUAL REVOLUTION: THE HISTORY OF SEMEN ANALYSIS April Szafran, David Schulsinger, and Yefim Sheynkin April SzafranApril Szafran More articles by this author , David SchulsingerDavid Schulsinger More articles by this author , and Yefim SheynkinYefim Sheynkin More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2016.02.101AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Semen analysis (SA) is the integral part of infertility evaluation. Strange and convoluted history of SA, rich in controversies, misunderstandings and false expectations, has made it one of the longest clinical test to develop and introduce to a medical practice. METHODS Review of original papers on SA since the discovery of spermatozoa until present time RESULTS Three pivotal factors were ′instrumental′ in the history of SA. MICROSCOPE. The first microscopic semen evaluation was performed by Antonie Leewenhoek (1677). He observed the ′living animalcules′ and outlined main parameters of the future SA: count, motility, morphology. Only in 1827 the observational SA was introduced to a medico-legal field by Matthew Orfila. The famous microscopist Alfred Donne obtained microphotograph of human sperm in 1845. Unsuccessful gynecological treatment of childless couples sparked interest to the male factor. In 1868, Marion Sims advocated microscopy of postcoital vaginal fluid for sperm identification. The test was condemned as incompatible with decency and self respect. HEMOCYTOMETER was invented by Louis Melassez in 1873. Alois Lode performed first quantitative SA using hemocytometer with counting chamber in 1891. It had a limited use due to significant variations. Macomber and Sanders (1929) attempted to define spermatozoa count as a ′guide to fertility′ and started an endless quest for ′normal′ sperm parameters. Motility, morphology, biometrics were extensively studied by Moench, Hotchkiss, Macleod. The framework of contemporary SA was outlined by 1940th, but neither of sperm parameters was accepted as a reliable index of fertility. Five editions of WHO lab manuals (1980-2010) aimed to provide reference range for semen values did not eliminate the ambiguity in interpreting test results. SEXUAL REVOLUTION. Clinical use of SA was grossly limited by methods of semen collection. The condom specimen was poor due to spermicidal chemicals. Withdrawal of intercourse was inconvenient. Masturbation was not acceptable method for many men due to social, ethical and medical considerations. Silent sexual revolution of 1940th started with Kinsey′s studies slowly eliminated conservative viewpoint on masturbation as a taboo. From 1950th, it became the most common method of semen collection CONCLUSIONS Once a great diagnostic hope, SA remains a grand illusion in the game of cutoff points. Despite significant technological and methodological advances, constant attempts to make SA a reliable diagnostic test remain unsuccessful. Complete makeover of SA will be necessary to reach this historic goal © 2016FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 195Issue 4SApril 2016Page: e531-e532 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2016MetricsAuthor Information April Szafran More articles by this author David Schulsinger More articles by this author Yefim Sheynkin More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...