This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Douglas-Hamilton, D. H. Articles by Althouse, G. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Douglas-Hamilton, D. H. Articles by Althouse, G. C.

Particle Distribution in Low-Volume Capillary-Loaded Chambers

CHRISTOPHER E. KUSTER

JAN P. W. VERMEIDEN

GARY C. ALTHOUSE

From ^* Hamilton Thorne Biosciences, Beverly, Massachusetts; Kuster Research and Consulting, Geneseo, Illinois; IVF Center, Department of Reproductive Medicine, VUMc Academic Hospital, Vrije Universiteit, HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; and the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies—New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

Correspondence to: Gary C. Althouse, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, PA 19348-1692 (e-mail: gca{at}vet.upenn.edu).

Accurate determination of sperm concentration in fluid suspension is a critical component in a semen analysis. Inaccurate estimations can lead to misinterpretation of the spermiogram and, in the case of livestock production, can lead to faulty insemination doses, which can adversely affect stud power, fertility, fecundity, and cost effectiveness of breeding programs. Capillary-loaded slides, like the hemacytometer, have been the standard for calibration of other concentration estimation modalities such as photometry, Coulter counter, flow cytometry, and computer-automated semen analysis (CASA). Single-use capillary-loaded slides, much smaller than the hemacytometer, are frequently used by many of the current CASA systems. As the use of CASA increases, more field reports are suggesting differences between CASA results and hemacytometry. In this article, we establish that these differences are, in large part, due to the Segre-Silberberg effect, which occurs during Poiseuille flow in high-gradient fluid flow in thin capillary-loaded slides. We develop the theory of this phenomenon and derive the scaling and significance of the effect. Finally, we graphically provide a means for predicting the necessary compensation factor when using capillary-loaded slides to determine sperm concentration.

     Key words: Spermatozoa, concentration, capillary slide, hemacytometer, Poiseuille, Segre-Silberberg

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. Bailey, N. Fenning, S. Chamberlain, L. Devlin, J. Hopkisson, and M. Tomlinson Validation of Sperm Counting Methods Using Limits of Agreement J Androl, May 1, 2007; 28(3): 364 - 373. [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Bjorndahl and C. L. R. Barratt Semen Analysis: Setting Standards for the Measurement of Sperm Numbers J Androl, January 1, 2005; 26(1): 11 - 11. [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. H. Douglas-Hamilton, N. G. Smith, C. E. Kuster, J. P. W. Vermeiden, and G. C. Althouse Capillary-Loaded Particle Fluid Dynamics: Effect on Estimation of Sperm Concentration J Androl, January 1, 2005; 26(1): 115 - 122. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]