380 Factors Affecting Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) Measurements for Porcine Spermatozoa

Abstract The effect of analysis time; dilution; and slide location on motility (MOT); progressive motility (PMOT); curvilinear (VCL) and straight line (VSL) velocities; beat frequency (BCF); and lateral head displacement (ALH) was determined for porcine spermatozoa in 3 experiments. For each experiment, the split ejaculate technique was used with 18 boars being collected weekly for 5 to 6 weeks (n=100 to 120 observations per treatment per experiment). For analysis time, CASA measurements were obtained at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 s after sample loading. For dilution, the neat sample was analyzed along with subsamples diluted with BTS extender in ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3. For slide location, the center of the counting chamber was divided into 3, 3 x 5 mm sections, Central Lower (LOW), Central Middle (MID) and Central Upper (UP), and measurements were taken randomly within each section. All CASA parameters decreased during the first 60 s after loading the slide chamber (p