Services and rates
Sperm morphology for the bull breeding soundness exam, frozen semen analysis, and the vials and tapes you need crush side.
Sperm morphology analysis
Each preserved sample is assessed on 100 individual sperm using differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopes at x1000. Our laboratories use Nikon 80i and Nikon Eclipse DIC microscopes.
Borderline samples (62% to 77% normal) are recounted to 200 sperm, in line with current guidelines on interpreting the spermiogram. Schiff's staining is used where it helps. Neither costs you anything extra.
Results are recorded against the sperm abnormality format described by Fordyce et al. (2006), established by Dr Viv Perry in collaboration with the ACV in 2002.
Referral advice is freely available from Dr Perry, who has more than 20 years' experience teaching male ruminant reproduction to undergraduate and postgraduate vets in Australia and the UK.
QSML puts part of its income into ongoing research into bull fertility and the factors affecting sperm morphology.
| Sperm counted | Pass at or above | Fail at or below | Borderline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 41 (82%) | 29 (58%) | 30 to 40 |
| 75 | 59 (79%) | 45 (60%) | 46 to 58 |
| 100 | 78 (78%) | 61 (61%) | 62 to 77 |
| 200 | 150 (75%) | 128 (64%) | 129 to 149 |
| 250 | 186 (74%) | 161 (64%) | 162 to 185 |
| 500 | 365 (73%) | 330 (66%) | 331 to 364 |
| 1000 | 719 (72%) | 671 (67%) | 672 to 718 |
| 5000 | 3529 (71%) | 3421 (68%) | 3422 to 3528 |
Frozen semen analysis
Frozen thawed semen can be assessed for morphology, motility and concentration, or for morphology and motility only. We usually look at three things:
- Post-thaw viability and motility
- Sperm morphology
- Number of motile cells per dose (concentration)
Motility is assessed with phase contrast at x400 on a warm stage. Morphology and acrosome integrity are assessed with DIC at x1000. Progressive motility and rate are checked straight after thawing and again after one and two hours of incubation.
Three straws are preferred for a proper viability assessment. Where semen is very expensive, one straw can be evaluated.
We use the ACV guidelines and thresholds, except for swollen acrosomes, which are assessed separately with a percent intact acrosome test.
Please contact us before you ship frozen samples so they're booked in and processed promptly while there's still enough liquid nitrogen in the tank. How to send frozen samples
Vials and scrotal tapes
Vials of buffered formal saline can be ordered in any number. They come prepacked in bags of 25 and 100 and go out promptly by post. We use screw cap vials because they don't leak; let us know when you order if you prefer flip tops. We prefer round end vials, as we see less clumping than with cone end vials.
Vials are designed to last 12 months from ordering if stored properly. Keep them in the air-conditioned clinic, not the car. Why vial storage matters
We are a registered wholesaler of Reliabull scrotal tapes, sourced from Professor Albert Barth at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan. They're the tape of choice for ACV and BCVA vets.
Rates
All prices exclude GST.
To confirm: these are the rates on the current website, last updated January 2025. Are they still right?
| First sample | $30.50 |
| Subsequent samples | $24.50 |
| Subsequent samples, more than 25 | $22.50 |
| Subsequent samples, more than 100 | $21.50 |
| Subsequent samples, more than 200 | $20.50 |
| Subsequent samples, more than 400 | $19.50 |
| Motility, morphology and concentration, first straw | $190 |
| Subsequent samples | $80 |
| Buffered formal saline vial, each | $1.00 |
| Postage and handling, up to 150 vials | $17 |
| Postage and handling, 151 to 300 vials | $22 |
| Postage and handling, more than 300 vials | $25 |
| Reliabull scrotal tape | $45 |