OBJECTIVESTo analysis the correlation between parameters of sperm chromatin structure assay(SCSA) and semen routine analysis, and to discuss the reliable methods of semen quality evaluation.

METHODSFive hundred and eleven semen samples were detected to analyse the mutiple-parameter correlation between results of SCSA (COMP alpha t) and semen routine analysis.

RESULTSThe parameters that have low-level positive correlation(r: 0.10-0.30) with denatured sperm percentage(COMP alpha t) were viscosity, ejaculation interval, abnormal sperm ratio, concentration of grade c sperm; those having low-level negative correlation(r: -0.30(-)-0.10) were VDL, VSL and VAP; those having mid-level positive correlation (r: 0.30-0.70) were sperm concentration, percentage of grade d sperm; those having mid-level negative correlation (r: -0.70(-)-0.30) were MAD, percentage of grade a sperm and survival rate.

CONCLUSIONSFlow cytometry can be used to evaluate the percentage of denatured or injured sperm rapidly, correctly and simply. The result (COMP alpha t) correlates partly with semen parameters, and it is not a conclusively parameter compared with routine semen analysis. It is important to use SCSA to evaluate productivity under the above situation.