Instructions: ASA Specimens

(978 Antisperm Antibody)

Two liquid serum specimens per testing event.

These specimens are for qualitative IgG evaluation and have been heat inactivated. Test samples immediately upon receipt or store these specimens below -10°C upon arrival. If stored, thaw specimens to room temperature just prior to testing. Perform antisperm antibody testing according to your protocol.

Code your answers as either 10 for negative or 11 for positive and code the method used by entering the appropriate numeric code from the list on the form.

Instructions: EG Specimens

(984 Embryo Grading)

Two sets of digital images provided online.

Participants will report the following parameters based on SART reporting requirements:

Click on the link corresponding to Day 1, Day3 and Day 5 for samples 1 & 2.

Please grade each embryo displayed in the appropriate video file following the SART reporting requirements for transferred embryos.  Please report using the result code listed for each parameter.

Videos                                Focusable Images

Day 1                                        Day 1

Day 3                                        Day 3

Day 5                                        Day 5

Instructions: FFN Specimens

(983 Fetal Fibronectin (fFN)

Two liquid simulated cervicovaginal specimens per testing event.

Samples are to be performed in patient mode. Follow your test method’s specimen preparation instructions, except do not filter the proficiency test specimen. Report 10 for negative and 11 for positive.

Instructions:FMR

(975 Fetal Membrane Rupture Test)

Two samples for the detection of Placental alpha 1 microglobulin

*Important: since no human sample is collected, the polyester vaginal swab should not be used to perform this procedure.

Storage and Stability:

1. Unopened materials must be stored in a dry place at room temperature, or under refrigeration, at 4°‐ 24°C until expiration date.
2. Test as soon as possible following reconstitution.
3. Reconstituted specimens may be stored up to 24 hours a 4‐8°C.

Detailed Testing Instructions:

1. Bring proficiency materials to room temperature prior to reconstitution.
2. Remove the filled vial containing 0.5mL solution from your AmniSure test strip. Use 1 vial of this solution to reconstitute each vial of proficiency testing material.
3. Mix the resulting solution vigorously to ensure proper suspension of proficiency testing material.
4. Test each vial by following the steps below:

• Tear open foil pouch at the tear notches and remove the AmniSure test strip.
• Dip the white end of the test strip (marked with arrows) into the vial containing the proficiency testing material.
• At 10 minutes precisely, remove the test strip from the vial, if two lines are clearly visible. Read the results by placing the test on a clean, dry, flat surface.
• Do not read or interpret the results after 15 minutes have passed since the initial dipping of the test strip into the vial.
• Interpret results according to instructions on AmniSure kit insert.

Instructions: IEC

(976 IVF Embryo Culture Media)

Two culture media specimens per testing event for the following bioassays:

Each vial contains 100 mL of culture media. Also included is 5 mL of dialyzed human serum albumin (100 mg/mL) labeled HSA.

Perform your preferred bioassay on both specimens to determine their suitability for in vitro embryo culture. The media should be tested with and without 5 mg/mL HSA. To obtain 5 mg/mL HSA, aseptically add 0.5 mL of the HSA solution to 9.5 mL of each medium and test.

Instructions: PG

(977 Preimplantation Genetic Testing- Aneuploidy)

Three liquid samples per testing event.

Samples consists of DNA extracted from trophoblast cell lines and should be treated as patient samples.  The samples will be tested and reported for Sex and Euploid or Aneuploid status and will be graded.  Mosaic samples will also be included for testing. You can report chromosome additions or deletions for educational purposes. These will not be graded.

Instructions: SMQ                                                                                                                                                                      

(980 Sperm Count)

Two stabilized sperm specimens per testing event.

Liquid samples:

These specimens are for quantitative and qualitative (post-vasectomy) evaluation. Before testing, allow the specimens to warm to room temperature. Vortex for a minimum of 10 seconds or until completely in solution. You may need to repeat this process 3-5 times. Perform the count according to your usual method.

Digital Counts:

Two videos for Makler/Disposable Chambers and two videos for hemocytometers are included on your online reporting form.  Logon to your account at www.aab-pts.org using your account number and password.  Click the event link in the green highlighted section and then click on the Andrology form link.  There are two links each for Makler/Disposable Chambers and hemocytometers.  The dilution for both methods are 1:2.

Hemocytometer Sample 1

Hemocytometer Sample 2

Makler Sample 1

Makler Sample 2

Code the method used by entering the appropriate numeric code from the list on the form.

Instructions: PTV

(979 Sperm Count, Qualitative/Post-vasectomy)

Two stabilized sperm specimens per testing event.

Liquid samples:

These specimens are for qualitative (post-vasectomy) evaluation. Before testing, allow the specimens to warm to room temperature. Vortex for a minimum of 10 seconds or until completely in solution. You may need to repeat this process 3-5 times. Perform the count according to your usual method.

Instructions: SMH SID

(981 Sperm Morphology)

Two unstained slides and two digital slide images for overall percent normal morphology, and one digital slide image for individual sperm cell ID per testing event.

Morphology

We suggest that you remove the slide labels prior to staining, taking care to reaffix the appropriate label to the corresponding slide after staining.

Code the method and stain used by entering the appropriate numeric codes from the list on the form.

Spermac Users: Spermac fixative for 10 minutes, rinse as per protocol, complete staining protocol.

These unstained slides are not compatible with the TestSimplet method.

Both unstained slides and digital images are included, you may report either or both as they will be graded separately.

Specimen #1

Specimen #2

Sperm Cell ID

The individual sperm categorization will consist of an online digital image with individual sperm annotated. Each annotated sperm should be identified as normal or as to the type of abnormality seen using the result codes listed on the reporting form.   If more than one sperm is contained within an annotation, they all represent the same sperm type.

Instructions: SV

(982 Sperm Viability)

Two Eosin-Nigrosin stained slides and two digital slide images per testing event.

You may report results from either the Traditional Slide, Digital Slide, or both. Please be sure to report the results on the line matching the slide type.

Traditional Slides – Two slides stained with Eosin-Nigrosin are included and are labeled sperm viability 1 and 2.

Digital Slides – Two DigitalScope® slides are included on the online reporting. You can view these slides on your online reporting form.  

Logon to your account at www.aab-mle.org using your account number and password. Click the event link in the green highlighted section and then click on the Andrology form link.  There are two links at the top of the form labeled Viability Slides 1 and 2.

Specimen #1

Specimen #2

Digital slide images are only available online at our website http://www.aab‐pts.org as a link to your online reporting form.  The digital slide images require access to a computer with access to the AAB-PTS website via the internet. Additionally, it requires Internet Explorer version 11.0 or later (limited support for IE 9 and 10), FireFox 4.0 or later, Safari 3 or the latest Google Chrome version.