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

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Semen analysis can be subjective and time-consuming if automated instruments are not available. However, such devices are expensive and not transportable for on-field analyses. A portable device (iSperm(®)) is available for the evaluation of semen concentration and motility, but data on its reliability for canine semen analysis are still scarce. This study assessed the performances of the iSperm(®) on a large sample size (n = 224) by evaluating its correlation with a conventional computer-assisted sperm analyzer (ISAS(®)v1) for semen concentration and motility. The intra-assay variability of both the iSperm(®) and the ISAS(®)v1 and their ability to estimate semen concentration at a fixed value of 40 × 10(6)/mL were also investigated. Results showed that the intra-assay variability was lower for the ISAS(®)v1 compared to the iSperm(®). Hence, iSperm(®) results were more variable in-between fields. Both the iSperm(®) and the ISAS(®)v1 were not reliable in estimating semen concentration. Finally, the two devices were positively correlated, although providing different values for each parameter. Some improvements of the iSperm(®) software are therefore needed to make it a valid alternative to automated computerized systems for the analysis of canine semen. ABSTRACT: The iSperm(®) is a portable device for semen analysis. This study aimed to investigate its correlation with a conventional computer-assisted sperm analyzer (ISAS(®)v1) for the assessment of semen concentration and kinematic parameters in dogs (n = 224). The intra-assay variability of both devices and their ability to estimate semen concentration at a fixed value of 40 × 10(6)/mL were also investigated. Results showed that the intra-assay variability was lower for the ISAS(®)v1 for all parameters compared to the iSperm(®). Hence, iSperm(®) estimates were more variable in-between fields. Both the iSperm(®) and the ISAS(®)v1 were not reliable in estimating semen concentration (ISAS(®)v1: median 30 × 10(6)/mL, interquartile range (IQR) 12, p < 0.01; iSperm(®): median 35.12 × 10(6)/mL, IQR 11.11, p < 0.01). Finally, positive correlations were found between both devices with stronger correlations obtained when four fields were analyzed by the iSperm(®). However, the low number of spermatozoa analyzed per field and the inability to avoid artifacts are downsides that currently limit the reliability of the iSperm(®). Therefore, the software of iSperm(®) needs some improvement to make it a valid and practical alternative to automated computerized systems for the analysis of canine semen.