Workshop report: clinical CASA--the quest for consensus

Abstract

The goals of the Workshop were to establish the current state-of-the-art in the clinical use of computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA), to identify areas of contention or confusion in the use of CASA technology, and to reach consensus on these matters to facilitate the wider use, and usefulness, of these instruments in clinical and research applications. CASA assessments of sperm morphology were not considered as they were discussed in a separate Workshop (Advanced Techniques in Sperm Preparation and Imaging) on analytical techniques. Four topics were considered: (a) CASA and semen analysis; (b) the diagnostic value of sperm kinematics in semen; (c) human sperm hyperactivation; and (d) CASA and fertility prediction. In all, 17 specific consensus points were identified.