Efficacy of the Hamilton Thorn Motility Analyzer (HTM-2030) for the evaluation of bovine semen

Abstract

Semen samples from four Holstein-Friesian bulls were evaluated by the Hamilton Thorn Motility Analyzer (HTM-2030) for sperm concentration, motility and other motion parameters. In the first trial, the extender preparation (P<0.005) and the program settings (P<0.001) of the motility analyzer significantly effected the accuracy of sperm concentration estimates. The student's t-test revealed that setting the variables on the HTM-2030 Analyzer according to the dimensions and brightness of bull spermatozoa and the background of the extender was better than using the settings for bull semen as recommended in the manufacturer's manual. In the second trial, different quantities of dead cells were added to semen samples to evaluate the accuracy of the HTM-2030 Analyzer for the estimation of percentage of motile cells and other motion characteristics. All motion parameter estimations except mean path velocity were similar for the settings studied. Addition of dead spermatozoa had a significant effect (P<0.0001) on all parameters of sperm movement. High correlation coefficients between the percentage of dead cells added and the decline in sperm motility verified the accuracy of this system. Use of the HTM-2030 system yielded simple, rapid and objective analysis of the studied spermatozoal parameters.