Semen Analysis

Question 1

How to conduct haemocytometer counts?

Answer 1

Count the sperm heads in 5 large squares of a 25 square grid on one side of the haemocytometer and then the other side
(Count heads on the top and right lines as in and bottom and left lines as out)

Calculation:
No. sperm/ml = (Average number of sperm x5) x dilution rate x 1/volume

= (Avg. sperm x 5) x 200 x 10,000

e.g. Average no. of sperm = 211

sperm/ml = (211 x 5) x 200 x 10,000
= 2.11 x 10^9

Question 2

What dilution of semen is used on the colorimeter for the most sensitive counts?

Answer 2

100 fold dilution of semen

Question 3

Are haemocytometer counts or colorimeter counts more accurate?

Answer 3

Haemocytometer counts are more accurate

Question 4

Volume of ejaculate of a ram?

Answer 4

1 to 1.5 ml

Question 5

Volume of ejaculate of a buck?

Answer 5

0.5 to 1.5 ml

Question 6

Volume of ejaculate of a bull?

Answer 6

4 to 8 ml

Question 7

Volume of ejaculate of a boar?

Answer 7

150 to 250 ml

Question 8

Volume of ejaculate of a stallion?

Answer 8

50 to 120 ml

Question 9

Concentration of semen x 10^6ml for a ram

Answer 9

2,000 to 6,000

Question 10

Concentration of semen x 10^6ml for a boar

Answer 10

150 to 300

This is the same as the stallion

Question 11

Concentration of semen x 10^6ml for a bull

Answer 11

1,000 to 2,500

Question 12

Total sperm/ ejaculate x 10^6 for a ram

Answer 12

2,000 to 9,000

Question 13

Total sperm/ ejaculate x 10^6 for a bull

Answer 13

6,000 to 20,000

Question 14

Total sperm/ ejaculate x 10^6 for a boar

Answer 14

20,000 to 75,000

Question 15

Total sperm/ ejaculate x 10^6 for a stallion

Answer 15

7,000 to 36,000

Question 16

%sperm/ejaculate by volume for a ram

Answer 16

30

Question 17

%sperm/ejaculate by volume for a bull

Answer 17

14

Question 18

%sperm/ejaculate by volume for a boar

Answer 18

7

Question 19

%sperm/ejaculate by volume for a stallion

Answer 19

2

Question 20

Dilution rate of semen for AI in a sheep

Answer 20

2 to 5 fold

Question 21

Dilution rate of semen for AI in a bull

Answer 21

up to 100 fold

Question 22

Dilution rate of semen for AI in a boar

Answer 22

3 fold

Question 23

Dilution rate of semen for AI in a staliion

Answer 23

2 fold

Question 24

Which animal requires the largest insemination dose

Answer 24

Pig

Question 25

How to calculate motile sperm concentration ?

Answer 25

Concentration of sperm x % motility = motile concentration

Question 26

How to calculate total number of sperm in ejaculate?

Answer 26

Concentration of sperm x volumes = total no. of sperm in ejaculate

Question 27

How to calculate dilution factor?

Answer 27

total vol. / small volume = dilution factor