A Mobile Sperm Analyzer with User-Friendly Microfluidic Chips for Rapid On-Farm Semen Evaluation
Journal
Biosensors
Journal Volume
15
Journal Issue
6
Start Page
394
ISSN
2079-6374
Date Issued
2025-06-18
Author(s)
Lin, Shu-Sheng
Chen, Chang-Yu
Lin, Cheng-Ming
Chiang, Tsun-Chao
Tang, Yu-Siang
Yeh, Chang-Ching
Hsu, Wei-Fan
Abstract
This study presents a mobile-based sperm analysis system featuring a user-friendly, droplet-loaded microfluidic chip that enables non-specialist users to perform the rapid and accurate quantitative evaluation of boar semen directly on the farm. The iSperm system integrates a tablet, optical module, heater, and real-time image analysis app to deliver automated measurements of sperm concentration, motility, and progressive motility in under one minute. Precision and user variability tests demonstrated high concordance with CASA and the hemocytometer, with minimal differences between trained and untrained users. A method comparison using 77 farm-collected samples confirmed agreement through Passing–Bablok regression and Bland–Altman analysis. ROC curve analyses further validated diagnostic accuracy for all parameters, with AUC values exceeding 0.95. The iSperm platform offers a reliable, user-friendly, and field-deployable solution for on-site semen quality assessment, improving decision-making in swine artificial insemination.
Subjects
boar semen analysis
image processing
microfluidic chip
on-farm point-of-care testing
portable sperm analysis system
ROC and regression analysis
user variability assessment
SDGs
Publisher
MDPI AG
Type
journal article