Standardisation of Dog Sperm Morphology Classification.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Reproduction
• Canine Fertility

Background:

• Sperm morphology is crucial for canine fertility assessment.
• Current visual examination methods show significant inter-observer variability.
• Standardized reference databases are needed to improve classification accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an expertly annotated database of dog sperm morphology images.
• To create an illustrated guide for classifying canine sperm morphology.
• To promote standardization in dog sperm morphology analysis.

Main Methods:

• Acquired 8817 images from 42 canine semen samples.
• Evaluated images using phase-contrast microscopy at 1000× magnification.
• Classified images by three veterinary specialists, establishing a consensus classification.

Main Results:

• A reconciled database of 8817 images was created with >97% expert agreement.
• 57% of sperm were morphologically normal in the reconciled database.
• Common defects included head (18%), midpiece (22%), and tail (7%) abnormalities.

Conclusions:

• The expertly classified database and illustrated guide offer a standardized reference for canine sperm morphology.
• This resource can aid in training and improve the consistency of fertility evaluations.
• Standardized classification enhances the reliability of canine reproductive assessments.