Lab Practical: Basic Semen Analysis Flashcards
What is semen analysis?
Semen analysis provides a comprehensive view of the reproductive functioning of the male. Many fertility disorders in the male are identified (not diagnosed but found) through semen analysis.
What are the two main components of semen which we can quantify?
Total number of spermatozoa
Total fluid volume contributed to by the accessory glands
What are the main things that can be assessed by semen analysis?
Sperm number/concentration
Semen volume
Sperm motility
Sperm vitality
Sperm morphology
Physical characteristics of ejaculate (liquefaction time and pH)
Presence of other cells such as blood cells and epithelial cells.
What is aspermia
No ejaculate
What is globozoospermia
Sperm with a round head and no acrosome
How is a sample produced usually
by masturbation, from a spermicide free condom, coitus interuptus (not reliable as the first part of the ajacualte which is the most sperm rich may be lost)
How long should the abstinence time be ideally before a semen sample is produced
At least 2 days and no more than 7 days
What do we look for on macroscopic examination
Ejaculate volume Appearance pH Liquefaction Viscosity
What type of microscope is used to look at a wet semen preparation and why
phase contrast microscope because we are looking at a fairly large unstained cell
20x or 40x
How do we define rapid progressive motility
> 1/2 tail length/second
or
5 head lengths/second
What is the WHO classification for sperm motility
Class a - rapidly progressive
Class b - slowly progressive
class c - moving but not progressive
Class d - immotile
what velocity is defined as class a
> or equal to 25um/s
what velocity is class b
5-24um/s
what velocity is class c
<5um/s
What classes are deemed progressively motile?
class a and b
what is the definition of immotile sperm
no signs of intrinsic motility
note cells may still be alive
How is a semen sample assessed
Phase contrast microscope
200 cells counted in 4 fields
What can semen analysis inform
can be informative about problems in the male with ;
sperm production
sperm transport
sperm transfer and function in female reproductive tract
What can semen analysis not predict
female factors of infertility as such it cannot predict fertility
results must be use in conjunction with other investigations
what is leucospermia and what does it indicate
white blood cells present in semen
indicates infection
what is a normal pH of sperm
should be a little alkaline
Ph 7.2-7.8
acidic semen indicates a problem with the seminal vesicles as these are the glands that produce alkaline fluid
What happens to sperm in the absence of sexual activity
it accumulates in the epidydmis
can overflow into urethra and be ‘washed out’
What is meant by liquifaction
when semen is first produce it is a semi solid coagulated mass
however when left at room temperature it will begin to ‘liquefy’ initially it will be a heterogenous solution with more solid lumps in it but it will eventually become a homogenous watery solution
this should happen within 1 hour of production to be deemed ‘normal’ however it typically only takes aroun 15 minute
