Reference Andrology Laboratory
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)
Affliations:
Laboratory
Our laboratory is a recognized educational member of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. 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.
Brochures:
Submission Forms:
Equine
Porcine
Bovine
Other
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 / Isolation
- Enrichment techniques, if needed
- Genus species identification of isolates (Gene Sequencing)
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (per organism)
*Services performed in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System
Other:
- On-site auditing of stud processes and techniques
- Semen extender analyses
- 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 Laboatory at 610-925-6562.
The University of Pennsylvania's Reference Andrology Lab at New Bolton Center is closed for the following holidays each year:
- New Year's Day
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day