Abstract: A method for characterizing a mobile particle in a sample includes acquisition of at least one image of the sample during an acquisition period, using an image sensor and formation of a series of images, the series of images comprising at least one image; use of each image of the series of images as input image of a detection convolutional neural network, the detection convolutional neural network being configured to detect the particles and to produce, from each image, an output image on which each detected particle is assigned a distribution of intensity, centered on the particle and extending around the particle; for each detected particle, from each output image, estimation of a position of each detected particle in each image of the series of images; and characterization of each detected particle from the estimation of the position established from each image of the series of images.

Abstract: The support comprises an object-carrying slide (11) and a cover glass (12) secured by lines of adhesive (13) peripherally defining individual compartments (14) for receiving a sample of the biological substance; characterised in that the upper face (17) of the object-carrying slide is bare and uncovered over at least one front marginal region (41) and at least one rear marginal region (42), each having an extension in the front-rear direction equal to at least 2.5 mm and an extension in the left-right direction equal to at least the distance between the respective axes of the two individual compartments furthest apart from one another. The system comprises the support (40) and a microscope for enclosing the support between a stage and a support plate provided with fingers, the distal ends of which are in contact with the marginal regions (41, 42) exclusively.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for collecting animal semen, comprising a container (3) configured to be mounted on an end (9) of an artificial vagina (2), having an internal space (15) configured to receive said semen and configured to comprise a first dilution extender (5) before receiving said semen, and said system (1) comprises a collecting device (4) configured to be at least partially inserted into said container and to be fastened to said vagina, and being interposed between said vagina and said container, said collecting device comprising a flow channel (23) for said semen extending within said internal space of said container and a discharge aperture (26) for said semen open to said internal space; and said system is configured to prevent, at least for the most part, said first dilution extender from passing in said flow channel of said collecting device.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for freezing a plurality of conditioning tubes each filled with a predetermined volume of biological substance, in which each of the tubes is driven in rotation in a flow of cooling agent, the assembly including a cooling enclosure configured in order to be passed through by the flow of cooling agent and a conditioning unit which is removable and placed in the enclosure; the unit is provided with a greater capacity than the plurality of tubes in order to directly receive this plurality of the tubes, the enclosure is fixed and the assembly includes a unit for driving the conditioning unit in rotation, which unit for driving in rotation is provided with a connection interface on which the removable conditioning unit is placed.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for freezing a plurality of conditioning tubes each filled with a predetermined volume of biological substance, in which each of the tubes is driven in rotation in a flow of cooling agent, the assembly including a cooling enclosure configured in order to be passed through by the flow of cooling agent and a conditioning unit which is removable and placed in the enclosure; the unit is provided with a greater capacity than the plurality of tubes in order to directly receive this plurality of the tubes, the enclosure is fixed and the assembly includes a unit for driving the conditioning unit in rotation, which unit for driving in rotation is provided with a connection interface on which the removable conditioning unit is placed.

Abstract: A method for freezing a plurality of conditioning tubes is provided, each tube filled with a predetermined volume of biological substance, including arranging each conditioning tube directly into a conditioning unit placed in a cooling enclosure then causing the enclosure to be passed through by a flow of cooling agent and simultaneously driving the conditioning unit (6) in rotation, and providing the unit (6) with a greater capacity than the plurality of tubes; wherein the step of arranging each tube directly in a unit is carried out by placing the plurality of tubes into the unit, and the step of driving the unit in rotation is implemented by setting each tube in motion with respect to the unit and with respect to the other tubes.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for collecting animal semen, comprising a container (3) configured to be mounted on an end (9) of an artificial vagina (2), having an internal space (15) configured to receive said semen and configured to comprise a first dilution extender (5) before receiving said semen, and said system (1) comprises a collecting device (4) configured to be at least partially inserted into said container and to be fastened to said vagina, and being interposed between said vagina and said container, said collecting device comprising a flow channel (23) for said semen extending within said internal space of said container and a discharge aperture (26) for said semen open to said internal space; and said system is configured to prevent, at least for the most part, said first dilution extender from passing in said flow channel of said collecting device.

Abstract: A method for freezing a plurality of conditioning tubes is provided, each tube filled with a predetermined volume of biological substance, including arranging each conditioning tube directly into a conditioning unit placed in a cooling enclosure then causing the enclosure to be passed through by a flow of cooling agent and simultaneously driving the conditioning unit (6) in rotation, and providing the unit (6) with a greater capacity than the plurality of tubes; wherein the step of arranging each tube directly in a unit is carried out by placing the plurality of tubes into the unit, and the step of driving the unit in rotation is implemented by setting each tube in motion with respect to the unit and with respect to the other tubes.

Abstract: The straw comprises a tube (41) and a plug (42) consisting of a one-piece cylinder of microporous material, permeable to gases and liquid tight. The microporous material is a sintered self-sealing microporous material with at least a solid portion (42) having a diameter matching the inner diameter of said tube (41), said solid portion being in direct contact with said tube (41), said plug having in the tube a permeability to gases when it is dry such that if one end of the tube is placed in communication with a pressure source 150 mbar above atmospheric pressure and the other end of the tube is opened to atmospheric pressure, the air flow per unit area through the plug is in the range of 7.5 to 40 ml/min.mm2.