Using smartphone camera for software to count bovine spermatic cells: preliminary results

The use of technology can improve the efficiency of the examinations and analysis process. The Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) brings accuracy to the sperm analysis. But its use is limited due to high costs. The development of a CASA system has two key points: the image capture method and the software. Today, there are various types of camera, from specialized cameras for analyses and tests to smartphone cameras. This study aimed to evaluate a software for bovine sperm cell count, from images taken by smartphone camera under microscopy. Twenty images of bovine semen were made by microscopy from thawed commercial semen doses. The 0.5 mL reed were thawed for 30 seconds in a water bath at 37°C. Semen drops were deposited on slides covered with cover slip for microscopy. The 20 seconds videos were obtained from microscope with a smartphone camera attached on ocular. At 10 seconds of the video, a photo was taken, which was made sperm cell count. The 20 semen samples were analyzed by the technician and by the software for spermatozoa count. For statistical analysis, the results of the counts were subjected to analysis of variance (SAS, 2012) at a significance level of 5%. The average values of the sperm cell counts did not differ and were 407.80 ± 307.21 and 458.80 ± 341.66 by the technician and by the software, respectively (P > 0.05). Images were clear and high definition. The smartphone enabled an image with great all image field of the microscope. In relation to the software, it was highly efficient for sperm cell count, being a convenient and easy to use solution. In conclusion, smartphone can be used to records images on microscope for bovine sperm cell count.