Comparison of different evaluation chambers for analysis of rabbit spermatozoa motility parameters using CASA system

Abstract

In this study rabbit spermatozoa motility parameters, measured using different evaluation chambers, were compared. The measurement was done using CASA (Computer Assisted Semen Analysis) system; each sample was placed into four different chambers – microscopic slide, Zander Spermometer, Standard Count Analysis Chamber Leica 20 micron and Makler Counting Chamber. CASA showed that all measured parameters varied depending on chamber used as follows: an average spermatozoa concentration was 1.02 – 1.17 x 106 /ml, the percentage of motile spermatozoa was in range 59.85 – 77.78% and spermatozoa with progressive motility was ranged from 46.14 to 68.57%. Of other parameters, DAP was 19.23 – 24.44 µm, DCL 37.43 – 47.20 µm, DSL 14.27 – 18.92 µm, VAP 45.26 – 57.31 µm/s, VCL 87.45 – 110.37 µm/s, VSL was 33.77 – 44.31 µm/s, straightness 0.71 – 0.76, linearity 0.36 – 0.40, wobble 0.50 – 0.52, ALH 4.18 – 4.60 µm and BSF 23.58 – 28.16. Statistical analysis detected significant differences in almost all studied parameters in regards to evaluation chamber used. Particularly, highest values for concentration, percentage of motile and progressive motile spermatozoa were detected when microscopic slide with coverslip was used as a spermatozoa chamber. In parameters of the distance, velocity, linearity, straightness and BSF the highest values were obtained using Zander Spermometer, whilst the amplitude of lateral head displacement was the highest in the Makler chamber. These results clearly suggest that the type of evaluation chamber may influence a reliability of measurement of spermatozoa parameters.