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    Reference Andrology Laboratory

    About Us

    Clsi Members Logo

    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

    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