Validation of a new disposable counting chamber.

In a routine prospective study, 3 different counting chambers were compared for manual and computer-assisted evaluations. Swim-up samples were used so as to remove all debris and other cells that may contaminate the evaluation process when using a semen analyzer. The Makler concentration determinations (n = 20) were, on average. approximately 20 x 10(6) cells/mL higher compared to the corresponding 20 hemocytometer counts. The mean differences between the Leja chambers and the hemocytometer counts (n = 320) were only around 1 x 10(6) cells/mL, with coefficients of variation around 20%. The Leja chambers for both manual and the computer-assisted sperm concentration determinations provided consistent and accurate data on sperm concentration.