The evolutionary consequences of sperm competition or the lack of sperm competition Fig. 1: Scanning EM: Gerbil sperm. What is sperm competition? It is the competitive process between spermatozoa of two or more different males to fertilize the same egg(s) during sexual reproduction. This form of competitive reproduction is by far [...]
Are factors apart from sperm functional parameters important in assessing potential male fertility? In previous blogs I alluded to the many ways used to assess sperm quality. The gold standard for human semen analysis is the World Health Organization Manual. The most recent edition is referred to as WHO 6 (2021). I [...]
Tracking sperm over 50 years: From manual video micrography to cutting edge Computer Aided Sperm Analysis Currently, Computer Aided Sperm Analysis (CASA) systems are highly sophisticated and are used to evaluate sperm quality quantitatively by measurement of sperm concentration, motility, morphology, vitality, fragmentation, and the acrosome reaction among others. These aspects incorporate [...]
On the sperm of the moment Prologue by Gerhard van der Horst It was indeed mentally a tough two years with Covid around and in my discussions with Microptic re the next blog I should write, I suggested that we do something light and full of fun before Christmas. I then suggested [...]
What does WHO4, WHO 5, WHO 6 and the literature say about the use of CASA? Computer aided sperm analysis is capable of measuring sperm parameters such as motility, morphology, vitality etc. quantitatively and accurately. The question is to what extent does WHO 4, 5 and 6 accept CASA technology as both [...]
The advantages of a multidisciplinary team - my personal experience As the scientist I am, I have always considered myself as a curious person with the need to question my environment and learn more about the unknown. Going a little bit deeper into my personal experience, I spent 15 years in the [...]
Important focus on sperm of indigenous domestic animals in Africa All domestic animals such as cattle, goats, horses, sheep, dogs and chicken across the globe have been derived from essentially wild animals. In most instances the livestock domestication dates back to many thousands of years (11000 BP) (Fig. 1). Fig. 1: [...]
Are microscope settings and stain selection really important in sperm quality assessment? How good are you at using your routine or research microscope in the lab or in the Andrology setting? If you cannot immediately answer the following three questions, then you are not using the microscope correctly and potentially miss out [...]
Short blog about installation and training of SCA 6.5 at Zululand University, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa The Sperm Class Analyzer (SCA), Microptic's CASA System for semen analysis, was re-installed in the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Zululand University, near Richard Bay, headed by Prof Khoboso Lehloenya. Gerhard van der Horst performed [...]
Is CASA really required? Views from the past, the present and the future The big questions are: Does CASA measure sperm parameters such as motility, morphology, vitality etc. quantitatively, accurately and to what extent does it enhance clinical spermatology for human and animals and wildlife? Does it provide answers not only on [...]
