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At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

Role of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in calcium homeostasis and human sperm motility regulation.

A number of cell functions, such as flagellar beating, swimming velocity, acrosome reaction, etc., are triggered by a Ca2+ influx across the cell membrane. For appropriate physiological functions, the motile human sperm maintains the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) at a submicromolar level. The objective of this study was to determine the role of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) in the maintenance of [Ca2+]i in human spermatozoa. Spermatozoa maintained in extracellular medium containing>or=1 microM Ca2+ exhibited motility similar to that of the control. In addition to several calcium transport mechanisms described earlier, we provide evidence that the NCX plays a crucial role in the maintenance of [Ca2+]i. Three chemically unrelated inhibitors of the NCX (bepridil, DCB (3',4'-dichlorobenzamil hydrochloride), and KB-R7943) all blocked human sperm motility in a dose and incubation time dependent manner. The IC50 values for bepridil, DCB, and KB-R7943 were 16.2, 9.8, and 5.3 microM, respectively. The treatment with the above-mentioned blockers resulted in an elevated [Ca2+]i and a decreased [Na+]i. The store-operated calcium channel (SOCC) inhibitor SKF 96365 also blocked the sperm motility (IC50=2.44 microM). The presence of the NCX antigen in the human spermatozoa was proven by flow cytometry, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and immunoblotting techniques. Calcium homeostasis of human spermatozoa is maintained by several transport proteins among which the SOCC and the NCX may play a major role.

Bepridil↗

PubMed1999

Evaluation of a cut-off value for sperm motility after different hours of incubation to select the suitable reproductive technology (IVF or ICSI).

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to enhance the predictability of conventional semen parameters for in-vitro fertilization outcome. The utility of late sperm motility in presence of a cumulus-oocyte complex after different hours of incubation was investigated to predict the outcome of IVF in borderline and normal ejaculates (at least 5 x 10(6) motile sperm). METHODS: The study was done on 52 infertile couples undergoing conventional in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Sperm were prepared by the Percoll cushion centrifugation with swim-down. Cocultures were established by inseminating the cumulus-oocyte complexes with 100000 motile spermatozoa and incubating them for 48 hours. Another 100000 spermatozoa were incubated in culture medium for 48 hours. Sperm motility (WHO a+b) was determined at 0, 4, 24 and 48 hours of incubation. RESULTS: The fertilization rate was 65.5% (42.9-88.1). The conventional semen parameters did not correlate with the fertilization rate. Sperm motility measured after different hours of incubation was found to be significantly positively correlated with the fertilizing ability of sperm in vitro in Spearman's rank correlation test: motility after 0 h (p<0.02), after 4 h (p=0.0025). after 24 h (n.s.) and after 48 h (p=0.0071). Cut-off values for late sperm motility were determined and differences in fertilization rates were calculated for these cut-off values after different hours of incubation. A cut-off value of 20% progressive motile spermatozoa after 48 hours gave the best statistical power (fertilization rate 71.7 vs. 50.2%, p<0.001). Significant differences in the fertilization rates were also observed for a cut-off value of 35% after 24 hours of incubation (70.1 vs. 46.2%, p=0.001) and for a cut-off point of 60% after 4 hours (72.4 vs. 51.5%, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The predictive power of sperm motility after 48 h for fertilization outcome provides support in the decision-making process within the assisted reproduction setting. If less than 20% of sperm are motile after 48 h micromanipulatory techniques should be considered.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Optimal utilization of cryopreserved human semen for assisted reproduction: recovery and maintenance of sperm motility and viability.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to evaluate sperm motility and viability and the maintenance of these parameters in already cryopreserved semen samples following repeated freezing/thawing cycles. METHODS: Human spermatozoa were subjected to five cycles of cryopreservation/thawing. Recovery of sperm motility and viability and the proportion of viable nonmotile sperm were determined up to 6 hr after thaw. RESULTS: Sperm motilities (prefreeze motility, 70.1%; n = 9 samples) after each of five freeze/thaw cycles were 24.4, 8.0, 3.5, 1.5 and 1.8%. The recovery of sperm viability was higher than that of motility after each cycle: 39.1, 25.3, 22.6, 17.8, and 16.5%. Recoveries of motility and viability were improved if the thawed samples were left in the original cryopreservation medium prior to refreezing vs. if a washing/ resuspension step was included. The recovery of sperm motility in the first thawing cycle was indicative of the expected motile sperm recovery in the second thawing cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Cryopreserved semen that is intended to be reused in future assisted reproduction treatments should be thawed only once and aliquoted in the original freezing medium before refreezing. The recovery of sperm motility and viability in the second thawing cycle, thus the applicability of the sample in conventional in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection may be anticipated in > 90% of the samples. In view of intracytoplasmic sperm injection it is important that sperm viability is maintained better than motility; after the first, second, and third thawing cycles the ratios of motile:nonmotile viable sperm were 1:1, 1:4, and 1:7, respectively.

Cryopreservation↗

PubMed1989

Antisperm antibodies are more prevalent in men with low sperm motility.

Fifty-six men with low sperm motility (less than or equal to 40% of sperm with forward progression) who attended our infertility clinic were tested for antisperm antibodies (IgG and IgA) using the indirect immunobead test. Nineteen (34%) of these men were found to be positive (greater than 10% binding). This was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than the incidence (5%) of antibodies in men who attended our infertility clinic with high sperm motility (greater than 40% of sperm with forward progression). It is concluded that significantly more men with low sperm motility have antisperm antibodies. The functional significance of these antibodies warrants further investigation.

Autoantibodies↗

PubMed2003

Passively driven integrated microfluidic system for separation of motile sperm.

This paper describes a self-contained integrated microfluidic system that can separate motile sperm from small samples that are difficult to handle using conventional sperm-sorting techniques. The device isolates motile sperm from nonmotile sperm and other cellular debris, based on the ability of motile sperm to cross streamlines in a laminar fluid stream. The device is small, simple, and disposable yet is an integrated system complete with sample inlets, outlets, sorting channel, and a novel passively driven pumping system that provides a steady flow of liquid; it requires no external power source or controls. The device fulfills a need in clinical settings where small amounts of sperm need to be sorted. It also opens the way for convenient bioassays based on sperm motility including at-home motile sperm tests.

Cell Separation↗

PubMed1987

Trout sperm motility. The transient movement of trout sperm is related to changes in the concentration of ATP following the activation of the flagellar movement.

For freshwater fish the motile period of sperm is extremely brief, even after a dilution in isotonic media. This result is in contrast to most other animals (ranging from invertebrates to mammals), in which sperm are generally motile for at least several hours. We have analyzed the reasons for the brevity of this movement by studying the relationships between the metabolism of trout sperm and the activation of their motility upon dilution. Sperm motility was not initiated when the dilution medium contained an elevated concentration of potassium (20-40 mM), but dilution in an isotonic solution of sodium chloride triggered an immediate activation of motility, and sperm swam vigorously. Motility of sperm decreased rapidly and 15 s after dilution sperm were moving slowly in small circles. Sperm became abruptly immotile at 20-30 s and flagella straightened. When millimolar concentrations of Ca2+ were also present in the dilution medium, movement did not stop abruptly, flagella kept beating and stopped only after 1-2 min. When sperm remained immotile they retained a high concentration of ATP. The activation of motility induced a rapid decrease of ATP. In the absence of calcium, and after the cessation of motility, ATP increased slowly back to its original concentration. In the presence of millimolar concentrations of calcium the concentration of ATP decreased to a very low level and remained low thereafter. The progressive decrease of the flagellar beat frequency, that had been observed during the period of trout sperm movement, might be related to the rapid exhaustion of intraflagellar ATP. Motility could be reinduced in sperm that had recovered high concentrations of ATP, demonstrating the functional integrity of the motile apparatus even after flagellar arrest. In conclusion we suggest that the maximum duration of trout sperm motility, at most 2 min (as a consequence of a depletion of ATP during the movement), is due to a low mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1982

Germ cell-specific decrease of acrosomal proteolytic activity, sperm motility, and number in mitomycin C-treated mice.

Assessment of mammalian sperm acrosomal proteolytic activity, sperm motility, and sperm count may be useful for detecting mutagens, carcinogens, developmentally active agents, and antifertility effects. Groups of six albino mice were given a single i.p. injection of 5 mg/kg mitomycin C (MC) or saline. One treated and one control group of mice were killed 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 weeks later. Sperm extracted from the vasa deferentia at these killing times were derived from cells treated as spermatozoa, spermatids, preleptotene-late spermatogonial cells, spermatogonial cells, and spermatogonial stem cells. In sperm derived from treated preleptotene or spermatogonial cells, the sperm count, sperm motility, and acrosomal proteolytic activity were decreased significantly. Acrosomal proteolytic activity was also decreased in sperm from spermatogonial stem cells. None of these sperm phenotypes were decreased in treated spermatozoa and spermatids. We propose the hypothesis that induced loss of sperm motility and acrosomal proteolytic activity in single spermatozoa derived from MC-treated spermatogonial cells is caused by mutational or developmental effects, whereas in preleptotene-derived and late-spermatogonium-derived sperm similar dysfunction results from developmental effects. Our data support the hypothesis indirectly. Since a low sperm count is correlated with decreased fertility and acrosomal proteolytic activity is essential for penetration of the zona pellucida by the sperm, the presence of these sperm phenotypes may help to detect chemicals with antifertility effects.

Acrosin↗

PubMed1996

Therapeutic cup insemination with cryopreserved donor sperm: prognostic value of cervical mucus score at insemination and the number of motile sperm in mucus at 24 hours.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prognostic value of cervical mucus score at insemination and the number of motile sperm in mucus 24 hours after therapeutic cup insemination with cryopreserved donor sperm. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Academic tertiary medical center. PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-eight women with confirmed bilateral tubal patency who received therapeutic cup inseminations with cryopreserved donor sperm between 1986 and 1993. INTERVENTIONS: All insemination cycles were monitored with serial daily urinary LH determinations with a single (n = 312) insemination or two inseminations (n = 212) performed on and/or 1 day after the day of LH surge detection. A single examiner assigned cervical mucus scores in all insemination cycles and recorded the number of motile sperm in mucus 24 hours after the first insemination in dual insemination cycles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Pregnancy rate during various cervical mucus and motile sperm scores. RESULTS: Ninety-one women conceived (66%) and seven of these achieved two pregnancies. The overall pregnancy rate per insemination cycle was 18.7%. Age and day of insemination were the only variables identified as having significant influence on cycle outcome. Pregnancy occurred with decreasing frequency as patient age increased and was nearly twice as likely after insemination on the day after the urinary LH surge as on the day of surge detection. CONCLUSIONS: Insemination the day after the urinary LH surge is superior to the day of surge detection. Cervical mucus score and the number of motile sperm in mucus 24 hours after therapeutic cup insemination with cryopreserved donor sperm do not correlate with cycle outcome.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Visual versus cinemicrographic evaluation of human sperm motility and morphology.

Ratings of human sperm motility by visual estimation through the microscope remain important measures of semen quality and of male fertility. More objective methods, including cinemicrography, time lapse photography, and videomicrography, are advocated. Subjective (visual) and objective (cinemicrographic) ratings of motility were compared. Sixty workers in 30 laboratories rated motilities of 40 specimens on motion picture film, and motilities were also measured by cinephotomicrographic methods. The morphology of each of the motile and immotile sperm was rated. In 34 of 40 specimens visual ratings were higher (range = +2 to +31%) than actual percentage motility. Specimens with both high sperm concentration and forward progression received the highest overestimations by visual rating. This was especially apparent in specimens with the highest motility. There was a statistically significant positive relationship between sperm motility and morphology rated on a one-by-one basis, but the relationship was too small to influence the visual rating of human sperm motility.

Humans↗

PubMed1981

[The effect of highly purified swine pancreatic kallikrein on sperm motility after cryopreservation].

The effect of kallikrein on sperm motility in cryopreserved ejaculates was investigated. The study was productive of the following results: 1. Cryopreservation of ejaculates is followed by a significant loss of sperm motility. 2. Kallikrein is not effective when added to the ejaculates before cryopreservation. 3. Incubation of cryopreserved ejaculates with kallikrein (5 KU) and serum after thawing significantly inhibits the loss of motility due to cryopreservation in case the initial motility is normal or moderately reduced. Kallikrein is ineffective on sperm motility in ejaculates with low initial sperm motility.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The importance of sperm motility for the fertilization of human oocytes in vivo and in vitro.

Motility behaviour of spermatozoa in 289 ejaculates was investigated by laser-Doppler-spectroscopy in the andrology-laboratory of the University Hospital for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Graz/Austria. Conventional spermiograms, performed on the same ejaculates, permitted comparisons between estimated motility and laser-measurements, comprising the following parameters: Total sperm motility, mean sperm velocity, percentages of progressive motile spermatozoa and mean progressive velocity. In order to elucidate the importance of sperm motility for the fertilization of oocytes in vivo and in vitro, ejaculates of six different groups of patients were evaluated. In vivo: 173 patients from the andrologic outpatient service (group A); 38 patients from the andrologic outpatient service, whose wives became pregnant (group B) and 20 donors with recently proved fertility (group C). In vitro: 8 patients, whose ejaculates failed to fertilize the oocytes (group D); 39 patients with successful fertilization (group E) and 12 patients with ongoing, clinical pregnancy of their wives after ivF (group F). In addition, motility behaviour was assessed in native ejaculates 24 hours after ejaculation, as well as changes in sperm motility after capacitation. Statistical evaluations of group comparisons revealed a good correlation between estimated results and laser measurements. Mean sperm velocity and progressive sperm motility are the most selective parameters within the group differences in oligozoospermic ejaculates. Besides motility, morphology is of importance in vivo as well as in vitro. Based on the results of measurements obtained in the different groups, the following guidelines for standard values in laser-Doppler-spectroscopy are proposed: Total sperm motility greater than 53%; mean sperm velocity greater than 42 microns/sec.; progressive sperm motility greater than 34% and mean progressive velocity greater than 68 micron/sec. If these values are not reached, medical treatment is recommended.

Ejaculation↗

PubMed1996

Peritoneal fluid from women with moderate or severe endometriosis inhibits sperm motility: the role of seminal fluid components.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the mechanism of sperm motility inhibition by peritoneal fluid (PF) from women with endometriosis. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: University-based andrology laboratory. PATIENTS: Women with and without endometriosis. INTERVENTIONS: Fresh semen or Percoll-purified sperm fractions were combined with PF from women with endometriosis (n = 20), from fertile women without endometriosis (n = 10), or with physiological saline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Sperm motility parameters were determined with computer assisted semen analysis. Data were evaluated by the analysis of variance and the Student's t-test. RESULTS: Peritoneal fluid from women with minimal or mild endometriosis did not inhibit sperm motility in semen. Peritoneal fluid from women with moderate or severe endometriosis caused approximately 40%, 50%, and 80% declines in sperm motility and in percent progressive motile sperm after 4,7, and 24 hours, respectively. Sperm velocity was inhibited by approximately 30% and 60% after 7 and 24 hours, respectively. However, in the Percoll-purified sperm fractions the same PF did not inhibit sperm motility within the 4- to 7-hour time frame, and only a 17% to 42% inhibition occurred after the overnight incubation. Sperm velocity was not affected. CONCLUSION: Cellular components of seminal fluid appear to mediate the inhibitory action of PF. Assuming that the leukocyte components of semen and PF are common, the cell-mediated inhibition of sperm motility is a likely contributor to endometriosis related infertility.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

The impact of epididymal and accessory sex gland function on sperm motility.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the regulation of sperm motility, which is an important predictor of male fertility. However, both testicular and post-testicular factors may be involved, although the impact of the latter has been relatively poorly investigated. METHODS: In semen samples from 301 young men from the general Swedish population (mean +/- SD age 18.2 +/- 0.4 years), we assessed sperm motility by use of a manual method as well as computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and correlated these values to seminal levels of neutral alpha-glucosidase (NAG), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), zinc and fructose. RESULTS: There were significant positive correlations between seminal levels of NAG, and PSA and CASA percentage motile sperm (r = 0.158, P = 0.009; r = 0.155, P = 0.01 respectively), and significant negative correlations with CASA percentage immotile sperm (r = -0.206, P = 0.001; r = -0.157, P = 0.009 respectively). In a multiple regression analysis it was found that, apart from sperm concentration, the level of PSA was the most significant and independent parameter in predicting percentage motile sperm (beta = 0.220, P = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated the regulatory effect of post-testicular glands on the motility of sperm. This is to our knowledge the first study showing a direct correlation between the seminal PSA levels and sperm motility in a group of men representing the general population. In future investigations and searches for specific treatment modalities in male infertility, more attention should be paid to the epididymis and accessory sex gland function.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Description, validation, and performance characteristics of a new computer-automated sperm motility analysis system.

A computer-automated sperm motility assay (CASMA) system has been developed that provides a rapid and accurate analysis of multiple sperm movement parameters and a new measure of linearity, the linear deviation angle. CASMA provides objective, unbiased sampling and accurate quantitation of the movement characteristics of 200 sperm cells in 20 min. It consists of a microscope-mounted video camera, a high-resolution video disk recorder, a video digitizer/memory board mounted in an IBM 9000 microcomputer, and newly developed software. After manual recording, at 60 frames/s, of the video sequences (takes) of sperm suspensions, each take is automatically played back frame by frame, digitized, and stored in video memory. The software searches each frame, recognizes sperm cells, randomly selects a preset number for analysis, and traces each cell through the sequence to generate sperm "tracks" that are then stored in disk memory. This process is repeated for each take. Analysis of the stored tracks of each take yields the mean +/- SEM of the standard sperm motility parameters: percent motile (%M), curvilinear velocity (VC), net velocity (Vn), position-averaged velocity (Va), linear index (Vn/Va), progressiveness ration (Vn/Vc), and curvilinear progressiveness ratio (Va/Vc). Additionally, CASMA allows measurement of the linear deviation angle, a more direct measure of the linearity of sperm movement. For statistical comparisons, multiple takes can be considered either as replicates or separate experimental determinations. Finally, for more detailed analysis, each individually stored track, with its associated parameters, or histogram distributions of all sperm for each parameter can be displayed and printed. The performance of CASMA was evaluated by comparison of CASMA-determined movement parameters with manually determined values derived from the same sperm cells in the same video sequence and by comparison with published values determined using microcinematographic techniques. In each case, the CASMA values were essentially identical to those determined by manual measurements. Finally, CASMA accurately quantitates the linearity of sperm movement, a characteristic previously determined only by much more time-consuming methods. CASMA is a rapid and accurate system for measuring washed bull sperm motility and has reliably analyzed monkey and elephant sperm. The system has the potential to quantitate motility equally well with sperm from any species that have similar sperm head size.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Persistent motile sperm after ligation band vasectomy.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficacy and mechanism of failure in a small case series of VasClip vasectomies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2003 and March 2004, 8 patients underwent elective vasectomy using the VasClip ligation band. Microscopic semen analysis was done a minimum of 4 weeks postoperatively and after at least 15 ejaculations. The number of sperm and motility were quantified in 15 or more high power fields. Successful vasectomy was defined as 2 consecutive postoperative unspun semen analyses containing no sperm. Patients with failed vasectomy underwent bilateral surgical removal of the vas deferens segments containing the ligation band for gross and histological analysis. RESULTS: Six of 8 patients (75%) were deemed azoospermic after 2 semen analyses at a mean followup of 7 and 11 weeks postoperatively, respectively. Two of 8 patients (25%) had semen analyses containing multiple motile sperm after vasectomy. In the 2 failed cases 1 side was patent, as demonstrated by vasal cannulation and irrigation with dilute methylene blue despite a well positioned, intact and secure ligation band. Histological analysis showed extravasation and sperm granuloma on the patent side. CONCLUSIONS: The VasClip was found to fail at an unexpectedly high rate. Pathological analysis suggests sperm extravasation and fistula tract formation as the mechanism. One failure resulted in an unwanted pregnancy, which demonstrates the need for patient counseling regarding postoperative followup.

Follow-Up Studies↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The effect of forskolin on sperm motility. In vitro experiments with bull sperm].

We have investigated the effect of Forskolin, a substance that stimulates c-AMP, on the motility of freshly thawed bull-sperm. Forskolin was added in amounts of 25.78 and 2.57 micrograms. In control samples we employed saline. An amount of 25.78 micrograms Forskolin increased significantly the procentage of motile spermatozoa compared with 2.57 micrograms Forskolin or saline. The mean velocity of the motile sperm is decreased slightly, but constantly, over a period of 130 minutes by Forskolin (25.78 micrograms), but not by 2.57 micrograms Forskolin or saline. With respect to progressive motile sperm and their mean velocity, there were no significant differences detectable. The usefulness of Forskolin in reproductive medicine needs further evaluation.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effect of methylene blue, indigo carmine, and Renografin on human sperm motility.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of commonly used intraoperative vasography and tissue staining agents, indigo carmine, methylene blue, and Renografin, on sperm motility. METHODS: Semen from 20 healthy men was obtained after 2 to 4 days of abstinence. Sperm motility was initially evaluated in each specimen. Standard solutions of indigo carmine, methylene blue, and Renografin-60 were diluted 2x and 4x with lactated Ringer's solution. Equal aliquots of sperm were mixed with undiluted and diluted drugs, and sperm motility was assessed. RESULTS: Initial mean sperm motility was 70.3%+/-3.0%. Undiluted methylene blue and Renografin severely depressed sperm motility to 1.1%+/-0.5% and 2.3%+/-0.7%, respectively (P <0.05). Diluted methylene blue depressed motility to 4.9%+/-1.8% and 11.2%+/-3.0% (P < 0.05). Diluted Renografin depressed motility to 25.1%+/-4.1% and 55.3%+/-3.3% (P < 0.05). Although undiluted and 2x-diluted indigo carmine moderately decreased sperm motility (48.9%+/-3.2% and 61.7%+/-3.0%, P < 0.05), 4x-diluted indigo carmine had minimal effect on sperm motility (67.3%+/-2.8%, P > 0.05). Lactated Ringer's solution had no effect on sperm motility. CONCLUSIONS: We found a severe, immediate reduction in sperm motility after exposure to undiluted standard solutions of methylene blue and Renografin. Dilution of Renografin significantly decreased its negative impact on the sperm motility, whereas the adverse effect of methylene blue remained fairly constant even with increasing dilution. Sperm motility should be assessed prior to application of these agents. Sperm should be aspirated for immediate use and/or cryopreservation prior to the use of these agents. Indigo carmine may be safely used as a tissue stain or vasography agent with a minimal effect on sperm motility in dilutions of 4x and higher.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Objective analysis of stallion sperm motility.

An image-analysis system utilizing a microcomputer and CellSoft computer-assisted semen analysis software package was evaluated to assess stallion sperm motility characteristics. Analyses were performed at 37 degrees C on a 6 microl drop of diluted semen placed on a glass slide and covered with an 18 mm(2) coverslip. Four groups of 25 cells each per slide, four slides per ejaculate and four ejaculates from each of three stallions were analyzed in a nested model. The percentage of motile sperm cells, mean velocity (microm/sec), mean linearity, and mean angular head displacement (microm) were measured. Statistical analysis of variance components showed that within ejaculates, more variation was accounted for in the differences among groups of 25 cells than among slides. Predicted standard deviations calculated for combinations of slides and groups of cells showed that a combination of two slides from which a total of 400 cells were analyzed resulted in a mean intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) of 5.7% for the four measured variables. The following are individual coefficients of variation: percentage of motile cells (7.8%), mean velocity (6.4%), mean linearity (1.9%) and mean angular head displacement (6.6%). When ejaculate differences were included in the model and predicted standard deviations were calculated for a single ejaculate, the mean inter-assay CV was 9.2%. Mean velocity (6.4%) and mean linearity (4.7%) were more repeatable among ejaculates than either the percentage of motile sperm (14.4%) or angular head displacement (11.2%). It was concluded that this system is precise enough to determine differences in motility characteristics of stallion semen samples.

Journal Article↗