University of Pennsylvania: School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies - New Bolton Center, Section of Reproduction

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)

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

Email: cherylo@vet.upenn.edu

Missy Vadnais, BS, MS, PhD, Post-Doc

Member, Society for Reproduction

Email: vadnaism@vet.upenn.edu

Karen Viscito, BS, Admin. Asst., Billing

Email: kviscito@vet.upenn.edu

Brochures:

Submission Forms:

Porcine

Swine Diagnostic Services Submission Form

Bovine

Bull Diagnostic Services Submission Form

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 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.

Quality Control Analysis: