Reference Andrology Laboratory
About Us

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 and purified water used in extenders.
Member of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), which is a not-for-profit organization that develops laboratory standards worldwide.
- Acrosome morphology
- Sample osmolarity
- Sample conductivity, pH
- Sample Volume
- Sperm motility
- Sperm viability
- Sperm morphology
- Sperm Concentration
- Total sperm number/dose
- Various flow cytometry parameters
- Direct, aerobic culture/Isolation
- Enrichment techniques, if needed
- Genus species identification of isolates
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (per organism)
- Onsite auditing of stud processes and techniques
- Semen extender analyses
- Spermicidal assessment of materials and isolates
- Water analysis
Resources & Brochures

Director, Reference Andrology Laboratory
Gary Althouse, DVM, PhD
Professor of Reproduction and Swine Health
Find Us
University of Pennsylvania
School of Veterinary Medicine
Reference Andrology Lab
New Bolton Center
382 West Street Road
Kennett Square, PA 19348-1692
Lab Hours:
Monday – Friday
7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Faculty and Staff
Gary Althouse, DVM, PhD
gca@vet.upenn.edu
Renata L. Linardi, DVM, PhD
Research Specialist
rlinardi@vet.upenn.edu
Von Miller-Lux
Lab Manager
ymiller@vet.upenn.edu
Betty Osborne, MT (ASCP)
Lab Technician
bettyo@vet.upenn.edu
Cheryl O’Sullivan
Financial Administrative Coordinator
cherylo@vet.upenn.edu
Affiliated Faculty
Leonardo F. Brito, DVM, PhD
Assistant Professor of Large Animal Reproduction
lbrito@vet.upenn.edu
Kristina G. Lu, VMD, DACT
Visiting Scholar
klu@hagyard.com
Elizabeth M. Woodward, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor
emwoodw@vet.upenn.edu