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The iSperm is a newly released semen analysis tool from Aidmics Biotechnology Co. LTD, which allows an iPad Mini to be transformed into a handheld microscope with objective semen analysis software for equine available through the Apple Store (version 4.5.2). The aim of this study was to compare iSperm values for sperm motility and sperm concentration to current acceptable methods for semen analysis and to determine the agreement with these methods using statistical methods. Two ejaculates from each of five Standardbred stallions were used to compare sperm motility (computer-assisted semen analysis [CASA] vs. iSperm) and concentration (NucleoCounter SP-100 [NC] vs. hemocytometer vs. iSperm). Data were analyzed by first testing for the differences between the means of each method using a linear mixed-effects model. The agreement between the two continuous measurements for each method was then investigated by computing Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), with a value of 1 indicating perfect agreement between methods. Results are reported as the CCC with the associated 95% confidence interval in parentheses. Means for both total motility (TM) and progressive motility (PM) were equal between CASA and iSperm values (P = 0.0741 and P = 0.725, respectively). However, means for all velocity measurements were significantly different between CASA and iSperm readings (P < 0.001). For concentration, means were equal between NC and iSperm values (P = 0.748) and for hemocytometer and iSperm values (P = 0.953). The CCC for TM was 0.871 (0.788, 0.923) and for PM was 0.916 (0.847, 0.955) indicating good agreement between methods. Low levels of agreement were observed for all velocity measurements. Finally, the CCC for concentration compared by iSperm and NC was 0.970 (0.949, 0.982) and for iSperm and hemocytometer it was 0.962 (0.934, 0.978), both close to the line of perfect concordance. Although more work is needed to improve the iSperm software for velocity measurements to be acceptable by research standards, in its present form the iSperm will introduce a low-cost and affordable method for on-farm semen analysis (TM, PM, concentration) for breeders and veterinarians. As a result, more farms will have access to accurate sperm analysis tools which will help to standardize semen processing procedures leading to better overall quality of semen used for artificial insemination.

This cover by John Lannutti and colleagues demonstrates electrospun 75:25 PCL:PET following 5s acetone exposure. The biomimetic "shish-kebab" morphology is absent from pure PCL fibers following a similar acetone exposure, suggesting that the pattern of dissolution is strongly influenced by the presence of molecularly dispersed PET along the length of the fiber. Sintering of a tubular deposition of this composition at 100°C successfully produced a densified capsule that allowed for zero-order drug release over a period of 8 days. The low temperature nature of the electrospinning process avoided copolymerization; DSC suggested a post-sintering structure consisting of nanoscale PET dispersed in PCL following the original fiber direction.

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