BIRMINGHAM, U.K. - s4story -- An independent study comparing the SpermScope reusable sperm counting chamber (Cryolab, UK) against the Makler chamber (Sefi Medical Instruments, Israel) using pre-established UK National External Quality Assessment Service for Reproductive Science (UKNEQAS RS) target concentration values has been presented at the XVth International Symposium on Spermatology at the University of Birmingham, running from 29 July to 2 August 2026.

The study, presented as poster abstract P32 by Dr Bryan Woodward BSc, MMedSci, PhD, FRCPath, Scientific Director of X&Y Fertility in Leicester and Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, used 40 formalin-preserved sperm samples provided by UKNEQAS RS, part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and accredited by UKAS against ISO/IEC 17043:2023. Target concentration values in all samples had been pre-established by UKNEQAS RS prior to the study.

Key findings: neither chamber provided statistically accurate estimates compared to UKNEQAS target values (both p less than 0.05). No significant difference was found between the two chambers when compared directly (p greater than 0.05). The SpermScope achieved a higher R squared correlation to UKNEQAS target values than the Makler (0.77 versus 0.68). In 72.5 percent of the 40 samples, the difference between the two chambers was five million per millilitre or less.

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The study conclusion states that the SpermScope counting chamber could be used instead of the Makler counting chamber, and in this study had a slightly higher correlation to target values.

The XVth International Symposium on Spermatology is the first UK edition of a symposium founded in 1969 that has been held across nine countries in its history. It is chaired by Professor Jackson Kirkman-Brown MBE.

Full study coverage including the complete reference list and clinical implications for UK andrology laboratories is available at cryolab.co.uk/spermscope-spermatology-2026-ukneqas-validation-study/

The SpermScope reusable cell analysis chamber is available from Cryolab at Buy SpermScope Reusable Analysis Chamber | Cryolab (https://cryolab.co.uk/product/spermscope-reusable-analysis-chamber/)

Cryolab Ltd is an ISO 9001:2015 certified specialist supplier of cryogenic storage equipment and IVF laboratory consumables. Active in the IVF sector for over 40 years, Cryolab supplies NHS trusts, private fertility groups, sperm banks and research institutions across the UK. cryolab.co.uk