Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) in veterinary science: A review

Abstract

Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) allows an assessment of sperm motion and morphology more accurately and objectively than by subjective evaluation. Although, CASA instruments have improved significantly during last 40 years especially in terms of software, image capture and computer settings, little has changed regarding processes for analyzing sperm motion attributes. The main problem is related to validation, consistency and optimization of equipment and procedures. Differences among CASA systems denote problems of objective analysis of results between different semen processing units. If validated, CASA systems can provide a great tool to objectively compare sperm motility and morphology. Sperm motility is one of the indicators most evaluated before and after cryopreservation vis-à-vis quality and fertilizing ability. Researchers have determined a possible relationship of CASA outputs with bull fertility in vivo; however, a clear association has not yet been confirmed. Most CASA measures depend upon concentration, sample volume, type of extender, duration of analysis and thawing temperature. For each attribute, CASA software should provide outputs based on a range rather than means or medians for transformed data. The current review describes development, validation requirements, limitations and future expansions associated with CASA technology.

Exploring altered bovine sperm trajectories by sperm tracking in unconfined conditions

“…In details, there is a gradual increase among the classes going from slow to rapid classes in both VSL and VCL case ( Figure 2B ). Our motility values are comparable to those of cryopreserved bovine sperm velocities found in literature, even if acquired at different frame rate and in different confinement ( 56 , 57 ). In addition, sperm motility was analyzed in capillaries with varying depths and at different frame rates to demonstrate the versatility of the approach ( Supplementary Figure S1 ).…”

“…Despite the relevance of other kinematic quantities like VAP, such parameters were not evaluated due to lack of standardization for the sperm average path calculation. Therefore, classification was performed on VCL cut-offs found in literature ( 54 , 61 ) The results obtained are in line with the velocity rages found in literature with CASA system ( 56 , 57 ). Slight differences could be observed mainly for VCL, which is strongly influenced by the frame rate of acquisition ( 62 ).…”

Kinematic parameters and redox state of thawed ram sperm after adding nanocitrate of Mn, Zn, and Cu to the medium for cryopreservation

“…Саме здатність чоловічих клітин активно рухатись дозволяє їм подолати анатомо-фізіологічні бар'єри жіночих статевих органів і запліднити яйцеклітину [39]. Оцінка рухливості сперміїв традиційним мікроскопічним методом є досить суб'єктивною [36] і не завжди корелює зі здатністю до запліднення [29]. Розроблений наприкінці XX ст.…”

A review on applications and toxicities of metallic nanoparticles in mammalian semen biology

“…The major detrimental changes due to oxidative stress mainly occur at the plasma membrane and nucleus of the spermatozoa (Bisla, Rautela, et al, 2020; Bisla, Rautela, et al, 2021). These changes in the seminal attributes arising due to oxidative stress could be assessed by various staining procedures (Rautela et al, 2020) and computer assisted semen analysis (Singh et al, 2021). Many attempts have been done in past for the reduction of oxidative damage in the semen, namely, neutralising ROS through enzymatic, non‐enzymatic, plant‐based antioxidants or reductants (reviewed by Kumar et al, 2019; Silvestre et al, 2021; Kumar et al, 2021, 2022); or by minimising the sources like the semen radiation exposure, leucocytes and dead and defective spermatozoa to reduce the level of free radical generation (Arzondo et al, 2012; Bisla, Ramamoorthy, et al, 2020; Bisla, Rautela, et al, 2020; Bisla, Rautela, et al, 2021; Durfey et al, 2019; Durfey, Burnett, et al, 2017; Durfey, Swistek, et al, 2017; Feugang, 2017; Feugang et al, 2015; Odhiambo et al, 2014); or by using oxygen scavenger like E. coli derived enzyme oxyrase (Dalal et al, 2020; Darr et al, 2016; Dong et al, 2010; London et al, 2017; Ngou et al, 2020; Shore, 2019); or by using nitrogen gassing to reduce the oxygen tension for partially deoxygenating the extender, a source of generation of free radicals in the microenvironment of spermatozoa (Amin et al, 2018; Balamurugan et al, 2018, 2020; Bhutia et al, 2021; Katiyar et al, 2020; Kumar, Prasad, et al, 2018; Kumar, Prasad, et al, 2018; Mustapha et al, 2021; Pande et al, 2015).…”