Validation of SwimCount™, a Novel Home-Based Device That Detects Progressively Motile Spermatozoa: Correlation with World Health Organization 5th Semen Analysis

PURPOSE: We evaluated the usefulness of a home-based device (SwimCount™) compared with World Health Organization (WHO) 5th semen analysis in screening for male fertility in Asian men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred Asian men who visited CHA Seoul Station Fertility Center for evaluation of fertility were included. Semen samples were analyzed and compared with the SwimCount™ results. An aliquot of 0.5 mL of the semen sample was added to the SwimCount™ and a WHO 5th semen analysis was performed. Results were categorized as low (<5×10(6)/mL), and normal to high (≥5×10(6)/mL) total progressively motile sperm concentration. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the accuracy of the SwimCount™. RESULTS: The mean total progressively motile sperm concentration was 26.7×10(6)/mL. Semen analysis revealed that 28% of the samples were below the threshold count of 5 million/mL total progressively motile sperm concentration. The mean total progressively motile sperm concentration of the light color SwimCount™ result group determined by semen analysis was 7.5×10(6)/mL, and the mean total progressively motile sperm concentration of the moderate to dark color SwimCount™ result group was 34.2×10(6)/mL. An area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.85 (95% confidence interval, 0.77–0.94; p<0.001) was obtained when the SwimCount™ was compared with semen analysis. The sensitivity and specificity were obtained at a cut off value of 5.0×10(6)/mL total progressively motile sperm concentration, giving a sensitivity and specificity of 87.5% and 73.4%. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the reliability of the SwimCount™ as a home-based device for male fertility by evaluating the total progressively motile sperm concentration.