Which Chamber is Used for Sperm Counting?
When it comes to accurately counting sperm, a specialized tool called a sperm counting chamber is used. There are two main types of sperm counting chambers – the Neubauer chamber and the Makler chamber.
The Neubauer chamber is a type of hemocytometer that was originally developed for counting blood cells. However, it can also be used to count sperm. This chamber has a grid of nine large squares, each with a depth of 0.1 mm, which is subdivided into a total of 81 smaller squares. The depth of each small square is 0.02 mm. The chamber is designed to hold a known volume of semen, which allows for the accurate determination of sperm concentration.
The Makler chamber, on the other hand, is a disposable counting chamber that is specifically designed for sperm analysis. It consists of a plastic cover slip with a grid pattern of 20 squares, each with a depth of 0.01 mm. The depth of each square is shallower than that of the Neubauer chamber, which makes it easier to focus on the sperm cells.
Where is Sperm Count in Neubauer Chamber?
To count sperm using the Neubauer chamber, a small volume of semen is loaded onto the chamber using a pipette. The semen is then allowed to settle for a few minutes to ensure that the sperm cells are distributed evenly across the grid. The chamber is then placed under a microscope, and the sperm cells are counted using a high-power objective lens.
The sperm count is determined by counting the number of sperm cells in a given number of squares and multiplying it by a factor that takes into account the dilution of the semen and the size of the chamber. The typical dilution factor used for sperm analysis is 1:20, which means that the sperm concentration in the semen is 20 times higher than the concentration in the loaded chamber.
The number of squares counted depends on the sperm concentration. If the concentration is high, only one or two squares may need to be counted. However, if the concentration is low, several squares may need to be counted to obtain an accurate estimate of the sperm count.
What is the Method of Counting Sperm?
The method of counting sperm using the Neubauer chamber is a manual process that requires a skilled technician to obtain accurate results. The process involves preparing a semen sample, loading it onto the chamber, and counting the sperm cells under a microscope.
To prepare a semen sample for analysis, the patient is asked to provide a semen sample by masturbation or by using a special collection condom. The sample is then allowed to liquefy for 30 minutes at room temperature to ensure that it is in a liquid state.
Once the semen is liquefied, it is diluted with a special solution called a diluent. The diluent is used to dilute the semen to a concentration that is suitable for counting using the Neubauer chamber. The typical dilution factor used is 1:20, which means that one part of semen is mixed with 19 parts of diluent.
The diluted semen is then loaded onto the Neubauer chamber using a pipette. The chamber is allowed to settle for a few minutes to ensure that the sperm cells are distributed evenly across the grid. The chamber is then placed under a microscope, and the sperm cells are counted using a high-power objective lens.
The number of sperm cells counted is multiplied by a factor that takes into account the dilution of the semen and the size of the chamber. The typical dilution factor used for sperm analysis is 1:20, which means that the sperm concentration