Evaluation of porcine semen quality by portable and desktop CASA systems – Short communication

Abstract

When using artificial insemination in porcine reproduction, one of the most important requirements is the suitable quality of semen regarding its total motility (TM) and progressive motility (PM). Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) is an appropriate method to analyse the quality of semen. Recently a portable instrument has been developed to help specialists in their everyday field work. In our study, semen quality was measured simultaneously by the portable device (Ongo) and a laboratory CASA system (Microptic) to compare TM and PM values obtained by these appliances at a concentration of 50 × 106 spermatozoa/mL. Agreement between measurements was evaluated with a Bland-Altman plot. Strong correlation was found between the investigated instruments for all the three parameters, i.e. sperm concentration, TM and PM. However, a few measurements fell outside the defined range of acceptance.

Sperm Gone Smart: A Portable Device (iSperm®) to Assess Semen Concentration and Motility in Dogs

“…Smartphone-based semen analyzers, for instance, showed strong correlations with computerized systems and microscopic assessment, even when used by non-professionals for at-home assessment [ 34 , 35 ]. Similarly, the Ongo Sperm Test ® (Microfluidlabs, Budapest, Hungary) was found a good alternative to conventional CASA system in stallions and boars [ 16 , 36 ]. The development and improvement of these portable devices could therefore offer the possibility of objective semen analysis for on-field analysis and in practices where a conventional system is not affordable.…”