The Reference Andrology Laboratory provides complete testing of neat, cooled and frozen-thawed semen from mammalian and avian species. The primary purpose of these services is to aid practitioners in their differential diagnosis of individual/herd/flock reproductive problems. These services are also frequently used by practitioners and studs as a third-party quality control component in an ongoing stud auditing process.
The laboratory strives to perform objective, validated techniques for assessing samples for the basic spermiogram parameters of sample volume, motility, morphology, and concentration. With advanced notification, we will also try to accommodate requests for supplemental assessment techniques on sperm subcellular structures. We also offer semen extender analysis and microbiological testing of the extended semen product.
Due to our caseload, we require that you contact us to schedule a submission date(s). Choice of tests to be performed on submitted samples is usually made prior to and in consult with one of the Theriogenologists on staff at Penn.
Please be sure to ship your samples to:
Reference Andrology Laboratory
New Bolton Center – CAHP Bldg
382 West Street Road
Kennett Square, PA 19348-1692
(see submission forms and packing protocol below)
AFFILIATIONS:
Laboratory
Our laboratory is a recognized educational member of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (www.nccls.org). CLSI is a global organization that develops consensus documents as an aid in standardizing select clinical laboratory procedures. Our laboratory strives to abide by these standards.
Personnel
GC Althouse, DVM, MS, PhD
Diplomate, American College of Theriogenologists (www.theriogenology.org)
Member, American Association of Swine Veterinarians (www.aasv.org)
Member, American Society of Andrology (www.andrologysociety.com)
Member, American Veterinary Medical Association (www.avma.org)
Member, Society for Theriogenology (www.therio.org)
Von Miller-Lux, BS, Lab Manager
Member, American Association of Bioanalysts (www.aab.org))
Email: ymiller@vet.upenn.edu
Betty Osborne, BS, MT (ASCP), Lab Technician
Member, American Society for Clinical Pathology (www.ascp.org)
Email: bettyo@vet.upenn.edu
Cheryl O'Sullivan, BA, MA, Admin. Coordinator, Reports, Web site, Billing
Email: cherylo@vet.upenn.edu
Missy Vadnais, BS, MS, PhD, Post-Doc
Member, Society for Reproduction
Email: vadnaism@vet.upenn.edu
Brochures:
Submission Forms:
Materials available for download:
To contact the Reference Andrology Lab via email: ymiller@vet.upenn.edu
Routine Semen Analyses:
- Acrosome morphology
- Sample osmolarity
- Sample conductivity, pH
- Sample Volume
- Sperm motility
- Sperm viability
- Sperm morphology
- Sperm Concentration
- Total sperm number/dose
Routine Microbiology Evaluation*, including:
- Direct, aerobic culture (BHI)
- Enrichment techniques, if needed
- Genus species identification of isolates
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing
*Services performed in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System [www.padls.org]
Other:
- On-site auditing of stud processes and techniques
- Semen extender analysis
- Spermicidal assessment of materials and isolates
- Water analysis
Please call (610-925-6562) or email (ymiller@vet.upenn.edu) for current pricing.
Further inquiries about this service should be made by contacting the Reference Andrology Laboratory at 610-925-6562.