Human Reproduction, Vol. 15, No. 3, 667-671,
March 2000
© 2000 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
The development of a continuous quality control programme for strict sperm morphology among sub-Saharan African laboratories
1 Reproductive Biology Research Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Stellenbosch, PO Box 19058, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa, 2 Kenyatta National Hospital, College of Health, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Nairobi, Kenya and 3 WHO Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, Geneva, Switzerland
Inter-technician and between-laboratory differences, especially during the evaluation of sperm morphology, have been a major cause of concern. The study aimed to develop an intensive training programme with intervals of continuous quality control assessments for sperm morphology. Twenty andrology laboratories from sub-Saharan Africa were invited to participate in a World Health Organization Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction semenology workshop. Following intensive training in strict sperm morphololgy evaluation, a continuous quality control programme was introduced on a quarterly basis. At baseline, the mean (± SD) percentage difference reported between the participants and the reference laboratory reading was 33.50 ± 11%. After training, the mean percentage difference had decreased to 14.32 ± 5% at 3 months and to 5.00 ± 5% at 6 months. Pairwise comparison of the differences at each evaluation time revealed the following: Baseline differences (pre-training) differed significantly from the differences at 3 months (P = 0.0002) as well as at 6 months after training (P = 0.007). The differences at 6 months did not differ significantly from those at 3 months (P = 0.27). Training of andrology technicians as well as continuous proficiency testing can be conducted on a national and international level with the support of a referring laboratory. Global quality control measurements in andrology laboratories should become mandatory, since these results indicate that continuous quality control for laboratory technicians can be highly successful.
Key words: andrology/quality control/strict sperm-morphology/training
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