Evaluation of the "Hamilton Thorn computer-based automated system" for dog semen analysis.

An objective evaluation of semen is warranted to assess the canine male fertility and to select appropriate techniques and extenders for semen preservation. With conventional microscopic evaluation, the subjectivity of the analysis makes any comparison of results difficult. In the present study, we validated the Hamilton Thorn computer-aided semen analyzer (HTR-IVOS10 analyzer) for objective assessment of canine semen. A description of fertile canine motility parameters using this analyzer is reported. Semen analysis at 38 degreesC is found to be more optimal and accurate than 30 degreesC. The Makler chamber was preferred to the Cell-vu, which induced a decrease of all semen motility parameters. The repeatability of the measures was good with intra-and inter-assay coefficients of variation below 10% and 20%, respectively, for most of measured parameters. An overestimation of semen concentration, increasing with dilution of semen, was observed when HTR-IVOS10 results were compared with the classical manual Makler cell evaluation. A significant decrease in semen motility parameters was recorded when high semen dilutions were used. Generated from the analysis of 42 mature fertile male beagle dogs, a description of semen motility parameters using the CASA system is presented to serve as reference when comparing Beagle ejaculates both in clinical and experimental studies.