Bonus Flashcards
Where is sperm produced?
The seminiferous tubules of the testes.
Where do sperm mature and are stored?
Epididymis of the testes.
5% of semen volume.
What is the function of the seminal vessels?
Contributes high fructose content to sperm.
60% of semen volume.
Sperm become motile after receiving fluid.
What is the function of the prostate gland?
Secretes acid phosphatase, citric acid, zinc and proteolytic enzymes.
Responsible for coagulation and liquification after ejaculation.
20-30% of semen volume.
What is the function of the bulbourethral/Cowper gland?
Secretes thick alkaline mucus that helps neutralize acidity.
5% of semen volume.
What does sperm collection require?
Sexual abstinence for 3-5 days.
Collection by masturbation or nonlubricant condoms.
What are the normal characteristics of semen?
Liquefaction time- 30-60min
Grey-white and light yellow, translucent, musty odour.
Normal vol- 2-5mL
Normally pours in droplets- 0 (watery)- 4 (gel like)
pH- 7.2-8.0
Sperm concentration- 20-160 mil/mL
Sperm count- 740 mil/ejaculate
What other colours may semen be and what are they indicative of?
Dark yellow- high flavin concentration
Brown/red- blood
Highly turbid- leukocytes, infection or inflammation
What does a pH other than normal indicate?
Increased- infection
Decreased- increased prostatic fluid
What are the fractions of semen?
Testes and epididymis
Seminal vesicles
Prostate
Bulbourethral glands
How is a Neubauer counting chamber used for sperm?
1:20 dilution with sodium bicarbonate and formalin or tap water
Count W vs R squares, only fully developed cells
Two sides should be within 10%
Multiply by dilution factor (1000000)
How is sperm movement described?
Forward progressive movement, normal ~50% in an hour.
4- rapid, straight
3- slower, somewhat lateral movement
2- slow progression, noticeable lateral movement
1- no forward progression
0- no movement
How is sperm morphology observed?
Stained- Wright’s, Giemsa’s or Papanicolaou’s
Head and tail abnormalities
Normal- oval head (3um x 3um) and long flagellar tail (45um)
What is the difference between strict and routine requirements for sperm morphology?
Strict >30% normal forms
Routine >50% normal forms
What are additional sperm tests?
Sperm viability- count dead cells out of 100, eosin-nigrosin stain, normal ~75%
Seminal fluid fructose- resorcinol test, normal ~>13umol/ejaculate
Antisperm antibodies- mixed agglutination reaction (normal ~1 million leukocytes/mL indicates infection
