title: Andrology laboratory review: Evaluation of sperm concentration.
abstract: This article is the result of the work of the andrology task-force of the Association of Applied Animal Andrology, American College of Theriogenologists, European College of Animal Reproduction, Society for Theriogenology, and National Association of Animal Breeders. It is intended to serve as a comprehensive reference on methods to evaluate sperm concentration and to contribute to the adoption of best practices in veterinary andrology laboratories. The information covered in the article includes sample preparation and the use of manual counts, spectrophotometers, computer-assisted semen analysis, NucleoCounter, and flow cytometry. Emphasis is given to the principles of the methods and equipment, performing the evaluation, and common mistakes and/or pitfalls. In addition, the precision and accuracy of the different methods are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: STgenetics, Navasota, Texas, USA. Electronic address: lbrito@stgen.com.
authors.forename: Leonardo F C
authors.initials: LFC
authors.lastname: Brito
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Gary C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Althouse
authors.affiliation: Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, University of Veterinary Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aurich
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Sciences, College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Chenoweth
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Sciences, College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Eilts
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Charles C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Love
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Gaia C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Luvoni
authors.affiliation: National Association of Animal Breeders and Certified Semen Services, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Jere R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: Augustine T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.affiliation: Southern Traxx Veterinary Services, Waverly, Alabama, USA.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Pugh
authors.affiliation: Unit for Reproductive Medicine of Clinics/Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Dagmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Waberski
mesh_terms: D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary; D013045:Species Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D013053:Spectrophotometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Computer-assisted semen analysis; Flow cytometry; Hemocytometer; Nucleocounter; Spectrophotometer; Sperm concentration