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SCSA as A Tool for Animal Reproduction
The first 20 years of our sperm DNA fragmentation research projects measured sperm samples from bulls, boars, rams, and stallions which firmly established the predictive power of the SCSA for reduced reproductive outcomes. In addition, numerous mouse, rat, bovine, and human toxicology studies showed that the SCSA is a very sensitive assay for male factor infertility and toxicant-induced DNA damage.
The pioneering manuscript published by Evenson and colleagues showed a significant relationship between human and bull sperm DNA fragmentation and loss of fertility potential (Evenson et al. 1980). This was followed by a series of papers showing that sperm retrieved from mice exposed to reproductive toxicants had dose-response elevated SCSA defined DNA fragmentation values. Since these early papers, the SCSA has measured sperm DNA fragmentation in over 100,000 sperm samples from many species including bull, stallion, boar, gazelle, dog, cat, fowl, gorilla, porpoise, killer whale, fish, mouse and rat.
The SCSA has proven useful in the areas of livestock and captive wildlife reproduction efficiency and toxicology.
Animal Collection
Collecting and shipping semen samples to SCSA Diagnostics for the SCSA test is simple and efficient.
Semen collection: In order to collect freshly produced sperm, it is important that the animal has one to several ejaculations prior to the collecting the test sample.
From the collected sample, transfer about 0.2 ml raw semen into each of two labeled cryovials or fill a standard 0.5 or 1 ml straw. Flash freeze in liquid nitrogen, dry ice or an ultra-cold freezer. Do not store in a refrigerator freezer as these machines usually go through a daily freeze thaw cycle to prevent ice build up and this change in temperature may induce further DNA damage.
Semen samples that have been extended and cryopreserved will give the same SCSA data as that from raw semen.
Shipping samples: Quickly transfer the frozen cryovials or straws into a LN2 dry shipper or heavy duty Styrofoam box filled with dry ice. Ship to SCSA Diagnostics preferably by Federal Express Priority One. Preferably ship on Monday or Tuesday to avoid weekend delay.
SCSA Diagnostics
807 32nd Ave
Brookings, SD 57006
605-692-5938
Below is the list of animals we currently collect samples from. Please call if there are any questions.
| Dogs | Stallions | Bulls | Boars |
| Exotic wild and zoo | Rams | Mice (for toxicology) |
