End of Chapter Questions: Semen

Question 1

The major component of seminal fluid is:

A. Glucose
B. Fructose
C. Acid phosphatase
D. Citric acid

Answer 1

B. Fructose

Question 2

If the first portion of a semen specimen is not collected, the semen analysis will have which of the following?

A. Decreased pH
B. Increased viscosity
C. Decreased sperm count
D. Decreased sperm motility

Answer 2

C. Decreased sperm count

Question 3

Failure of laboratory personnel to document the time a
semen sample is collected primarily affects the interpretation of semen:

A. Appearance
B. Volume
C. pH
D. Viscosity

Answer 3

D. Viscosity

Question 4

Liquefaction of a semen specimen should take place within:

A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 3 hours
D. 4 hours

Answer 4

A. 1 hour

Question 5

A semen specimen delivered to the laboratory in a condom has a normal sperm count and markedly decreased sperm motility. This indicates:

A. Decreased fructose
B. Antispermicide in the condom
C. Increased semen viscosity
D. Increased semen alkalinity

Answer 5

B. Antispermicide in the condom

Question 6

An increased semen pH may be caused by:

A. Prostatic infection
B. Decreased prostatic secretions
C. Decreased bulbourethral gland secretions
D. All of the above

Answer 6

D. All of the above

A. Prostatic infection, B. Decreased prostatic secretions, C. Decreased bulbourethral gland secretions

Question 7

Proteolytic enzymes may be added to semen specimens to:

A. Increase the viscosity
B. Dilute the specimen
C. Decrease the viscosity
D. Neutralize the specimen

Answer 7

C. Decrease the viscosity

Question 8

The normal sperm concentration is:

A. Less than 20 million/µ L
B. More than 20 million/mL
C. Less than 20 million/mL
D. More than 20 million/µ L

Answer 8

B. More than 20 million/mL

Question 9

The primary reason to dilute a semen specimen before
performing a sperm concentration is to:

A. Immobilize the sperm
B. Facilitate the chamber count
C. Decrease the viscosity
D. Stain the sperm

Answer 9

A. Immobilize the sperm

Question 10

Sperm motility evaluations are performed:

A. Immediately after the specimen is collected
B. Within 1 hour of collection
C. After 3 hours of incubation
D. At 6-hour intervals for 1 day

Answer 10

B. Within 1 hour of collection

Question 11

The percentage of sperm showing average motility that is considered normal is:

A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 60%
D. 75%

Answer 11

B. 50%

Question 12

The purpose of the acrosomal cap is to:

A. Penetrate the ovum
B. Protect the the nucleus
C. Create energy for tail movement
D. Protect the neckpiece

Answer 12

A. Penetrate the ovum

Question 13

The sperm part containing a mitochondrial sheath is the:

A. Head
B. Neckpiece
C. Midpiece
D. Tail

Answer 13

C. Midpiece

Question 14

All of the following are associated with sperm motility
except the:

A. Head
B. Neckpiece
C. Midpiece
D. Tail

Answer 14

A. Head

Question 15

The morphologic shape of a normal sperm head is:

A. Round
B. Tapered
C. Oval
D. Amorphous

Answer 15

C. Oval

Question 16

Normal sperm morphology when using the WHO criteria is:

A. >30% normal forms
B. <30% normal forms
C. >15% abnormal forms
D. <15% normal forms

Answer 16

A. >30% normal forms

Question 17

Additional parameters measured by Kruger’s strict morphology include all of the following except:

A. Vitality
B. Presence of vacuoles
C. Acrosome size
D. Tail length

Answer 17

A. Vitality

Question 18

Round cells that are of concern and may be included in
sperm counts and morphology analysis are:

A. Leukocytes
B. Spermatids
C. RBCs
D. Both A and B

Answer 18

D. Both A and B

A. Leukocytes, B. Spermatids

Question 19

Following an abnormal sperm motility test with a normal sperm count, what additional test might be ordered?

A. Fructose level
B. Zinc level
C. MAR test
D. Eosin-nigrosin stain

Answer 19

D. Eosin-nigrosin stain

Question 20

Follow-up testing for a low sperm concentration would
include testing for:

A. Antisperm antibodies
B. Seminal fluid fructose
C. Sperm vitality
D. Prostatic acid phosphatase

Answer 20

B. Seminal fluid fructose

Question 21

The immunobead test for antisperm antibodies:

A. Detects the presence of male antibodies
B. Determines the presence of IgG, IgM, and IgA
antibodies
C. Determines the location of antisperm antibodies
D. All of the above

Answer 21

D. All of the above

A. Detects the presence of male antibodies, B. Determines the presence of IgG, IgM, and IgA
antibodies, C. Determines the location of antisperm antibodies

Question 22

Measurement of α-glucosidase is performed to detect a disorder of the:

A. Seminiferous tubules
B. Epididymis
C. Prostate gland
D. Bulbourethral glands

Answer 22

B. Epididymis

Question 23

A specimen delivered to the laboratory with a request
for prostatic acid phosphatase and glycoprotein p30 was collected to determine:

A. Prostatic infection
B. Presence of antisperm antibodies
C. A possible rape
D. Successful vasectomy

Answer 23

C. A possible rape

Question 24

Following a negative postvasectomy wet preparation, the specimen should be:

A. Centrifuged and reexamined
B. Stained and reexamined
C. Reported as no sperm seen
D. Both A and B

Answer 24

A. Centrifuged and reexamined

Question 25

Standardization of procedures and reference values for semen analysis is primarily provided by the:

A. Manufacturers of instrumentation
B. WHO
C. Manufacturers of control samples
D. Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments

Answer 25

B. WHO

Question 26

Maturation of spermatozoa takes place in the:

A. Sertoli cells
B. Seminiferous tubules
C. Epididymis
D. Seminal vesicles

Answer 26

C. Epididymis

Question 27

Enzymes for the coagulation and liquefaction of semen are produced by the:

A. Seminal vesicles
B. Bulbourethral glands
C. Ductus deferens
D. Prostate gland

Answer 27

B. Bulbourethral glands