Laboratory Testing Parameters Flashcards
Normal semen; musty odor (bleach-like odor)
Grayish white
Indicates presence of WBCs and infection within the reproductive tract
Increased white turbidity
Common infection
Prostatic infection
very low sperm concentration
Clear
Presence of RBC
Red
Prolonged abstinence, Medication (antibiotics), Urine contamination
Yellow
T/F. Urine is not toxic to sperm
False
Sperm to urinary bladder
Retrograde ejaculation
Useful in differentiating presence of WBC compare to immature sperm (spermatids)
LE Reagent strip
Failure of liquefaction to occur within 60 minutes
deficiency in prostatic enzymes
If after 2 hours the specimen has not liquefied
Dulbecco’s phosphate- buffered saline or proteolytic enzymes such as α-chymotrypsin or bromelain
Normal Semen Volume
2-5ml
Increased Volume
Prolonged abstinence
Decreased Volume
Infertility
Incomplete Specimen
Must be considered
Refers to the consistency of the fluid and may be related to specimen liquefaction
Viscosity
easily drawn into a pipette and form in droplets, does not appear clumped or stringy
Normal
Clumped/clotted and highly viscous
Incomplete Liquefied Specimen
Highly viscous, abnormal
Droplets form longer than 2cm
Normal pH
7.2-8.0 (alkaline)
Infection
Increased pH
increased prostatic fluid, ejaculatory duct obstruction, or poorly developed seminal vesicles
Decreased pH
Done after liquefaction process
Motility testing
Normal motility
2.0 or (WHO grading) a and b
