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Home / Equine Research Bank / Reprod Domest Anim / Sperm Motility Evaluation in Stallion Fresh, Cooled and Froz...
Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2025; 60(3); e70052; doi: 10.1111/rda.70052

Sperm Motility Evaluation in Stallion Fresh, Cooled and Frozen Semen Using a Portable Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis System.

Abstract: Semen analysis is an important laboratory diagnostic test for stallions. Evaluation of sperm motility is integral to basic semen analysis and results are important for breeding management and clinical practice. Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) allows objective sperm motility evaluation and increases analytical precision. The objective of the present study was to validate a portable CASA system (AndroScope). Fresh/cooled semen samples (33 ejaculates, 18 stallions) and frozen semen (40 ejaculates and one epididymal flush, 27 stallions) were evaluated using the AndroScope and the IVOS II CASA system ('gold standard'). Positive associations (R2 = 0.31 to 0.83, p < 0.0001) between the systems were observed for all sperm motility estimates. The percentage of motile sperm was lower (p < 0.0001) with the AndroScope than with IVOS II (mean difference: -4.2%), but the percentage of progressively normal sperm did not differ between the two systems. Systemic differences were observed for sperm kinetic estimates. Sperm velocities, ALH, and BCF were lower (p < 0.0001) with the AndroScope, observations likely associated with the slower video acquisition frame rate used by this system when compared with the IVOS II (45 Hz vs. 60 Hz, respectively). In conclusion, the AndroScope produced precise results for all sperm motility parameters. The ability to identify and track sperm, and to analyse single sperm kinematics seemed similar to that of the 'gold standard' system used for validation. The AndroScope video acquisition frame rate must be taken into consideration when evaluating sperm kinetics and setting thresholds for classification of different motile sperm subpopulations.
© 2025 The Author(s). Reproduction in Domestic Animals published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2025-03-20 PubMed ID: 40111150PubMed Central: PMC11924987DOI: 10.1111/rda.70052Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 study validates a portable Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) system known as AndroScope for monitoring sperm motility in Stallions. Despite differences in results compared to the traditional system IVOS II for some parameters, AndroScope showed considerable precision and will provide convenient and effective semen analysis for breeding management.

Objective and Approach

  • The research focuses on the validation of a portable Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) system, AndroScope, for the evaluation of sperm motility in the semen of stallions.
  • AndroScope was compared with the traditional gold-standard, IVOS II CASA, for the analysis of fresh, cooled, and frozen semen samples drawn from multiple stallions.

Findings

  • The research uncovered a positive correlation between the results obtained from both systems for all estimates of sperm motility, which suggests that the AndroScope provided reliable measurements.
  • However, researchers found a lower percentage of motile sperm when using the AndroScope compared to the IVOS II, possibly due to systemic differences in sperm velocity, amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), and beat-cross frequency (BCF), particularly in light of the AndroScope’s slower video acquisition frame rate.
  • The study reported no significant difference between the two systems for the percentage of progressively normal sperm, indicating similarity in their capability to identify and track sperm.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The study concluded that the AndroScope could produce precise results for all sperm motility parameters, making it a practical tool for stallion breeding management and clinical practice.
  • However, it is important to consider the AndroScope’s slower video acquisition frame rate when evaluating sperm kinetics and setting thresholds for classifying different motile sperm subpopulations.
  • Despite diverse results for some parameters compared to IVOS II, the study backs up the use of the portable AndroScope system for precise and effective semen analysis.

Cite This Article

APA
Brito LFC. (2025). Sperm Motility Evaluation in Stallion Fresh, Cooled and Frozen Semen Using a Portable Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis System. Reprod Domest Anim, 60(3), e70052. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.70052

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 60
Issue: 3
Pages: e70052

Researcher Affiliations

Brito, Leonardo F C
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett, Pennsylvania, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Male
  • Sperm Motility / physiology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Semen Preservation / veterinary
  • Semen Analysis / veterinary
  • Semen Analysis / methods
  • Semen Analysis / instrumentation
  • Cryopreservation / veterinary
  • Spermatozoa / physiology
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation

Grant Funding

  • Georgia and Philip Hofmann Endowment

Conflict of Interest Statement

The author declares no conflicts of interest.

References

This article includes 18 references
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