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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Influence of counting chamber type on CASA outcomes of equin...
Equine veterinary journal2011; 44(5); 542-549; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00523.x

Influence of counting chamber type on CASA outcomes of equine semen analysis.

Abstract: Sperm motility is considered to be one of the key features of semen analysis. Assessment of motility is frequently performed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Nevertheless, no uniform standards are present to analyse a semen sample using CASA. Objective: We hypothesised that the type of counting chamber used might influence the results of analysis and aimed to study the effect of chamber type on estimated concentration and motility of an equine semen sample assessed using CASA. Methods: Commonly used disposable Leja chambers of different depths were compared with disposable and reusable ISAS chambers, a Makler chamber and a World Health Organization (WHO) motility slide. Motility parameters and concentrations obtained with CASA using these different chambers were analysed. The NucleoCounter was used as gold standard for determining concentration. Results: Concentration and motility parameters were significantly influenced by the chamber type used. Using the NucleoCounter as the gold standard for determining concentration, the correlation coefficients were low for all of the various chambers evaluated, with the exception of the 12 µm deep Leja chamber. Filling a chamber by capillary forces resulted in a lower observed concentration and reduced motility parameters. All chambers evaluated in this study resulted in significant lower progressive motility than the WHO prepared slide, with the exception of the Makler chamber, which resulted in a slight, but statistically significant, increase in progressive motility estimates. Conclusions: Computer-assisted sperm analysis can only provide a rough estimate of sperm concentration and overestimation is likely when drop-filled slides with a coverslip are used. Motility estimates using CASA are highly influenced by the counting chamber; therefore, a complete description of the chamber type used should be provided in semen reports and in scientific articles.
© 2011 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2011-12-12 PubMed ID: 22150933DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00523.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research studied the effect of different types of counting chambers on the outcomes of computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) in equine semen. It found that counting chamber type significantly influences estimated concentration and motility parameters.

Objective and Hypothesis of the Research

  • The researchers aimed to investigate how different types of counting chambers influence the outcomes of equine semen analysis using CASA. The study was based on the hypothesis that the type of counting chamber used could affect the results of analysis. The objective was to discover the effects of chamber type on the estimated concentration and motility of equine semen.

Methods Used

  • The research compared Leja chambers, disposable and reusable ISAS chambers, a Makler chamber, and a World Health Organization (WHO) motility slide. These chambers are commonly used for semen analysis.
  • The team used CASA to analyse the motility parameters and concentrations obtained with these different chambers.
  • The NucleoCounter, a gold standard for determining concentration, was used for comparison.

Results Obtained

  • The results indicated that the type of counting chamber significantly influenced the concentration and motility parameters of the analysis.
  • All chambers differed in terms of their correlation coefficients when compared to the gold standard NucleoCounter, except for the 12 µm deep Leja chamber.
  • Chambers filled by capillary forces showed a lower observed concentration and reduced motility parameters.
  • All the chambers, with the exception of the Makler chamber, showed significantly lower progressive motility than the WHO prepared slide. The Makler chamber showed a slight, statistically significant increase in progressive motility estimates.

Conclusions of the Study

  • The research concluded that CASA can only provide a rough estimate of sperm concentration and is likely to overestimate when using drop-filled slides with a coverslip.
  • The results rely heavily on the counting chamber type used for semen analysis. Therefore, it was recommended that a full description of the chamber type used should be reported in semen reports and scientific articles for accurate interpretation and reproducibility.

Cite This Article

APA
Hoogewijs MK, de Vliegher SP, Govaere JL, de Schauwer C, de Kruif A, van Soom A. (2011). Influence of counting chamber type on CASA outcomes of equine semen analysis. Equine Vet J, 44(5), 542-549. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00523.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 44
Issue: 5
Pages: 542-549

Researcher Affiliations

Hoogewijs, M K
  • Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
de Vliegher, S P
    Govaere, J L
      de Schauwer, C
        de Kruif, A
          van Soom, A

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Horses / physiology
            • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation
            • Male
            • Semen / physiology
            • Semen Analysis / veterinary
            • Sperm Count / instrumentation
            • Sperm Count / methods
            • Sperm Count / veterinary

            Citations

            This article has been cited 17 times.
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