Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Y4 - GOSH > Male Factor Infertility > Flashcards

Male Factor Infertility Flashcards

1
Q

What is the purpose of semen analysis?

A
  • it assesses semen / sperm quantity and quality
  • it can identify male factor infertility
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What instructions should be given to men prior to providing a sample?

A
  • abstain from ejaculation for at least 3 days and at most 7 days
  • avoid hot baths / sauna / tight underwear in the lead up
  • attempt to catch the full sample
  • deliver the sample to the lab within 1 hour of production
  • keep the sample warm before delivery (e.g. in underwear)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What lifestyle factors can affect the quality / quantity of sperm?

A
  • hot baths
  • tight underwear
  • smoking
  • alcohol
  • raised BMI
  • caffeine
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

When should a sample be repeated if results are borderline / abnormal?

A
  • repeat sample after 3 months if results are borderline
  • repeat sample within 2-4 weeks if results are very abnormal
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is a normal semen volume and pH?

A
  • volume > 1.5ml
  • pH > 7.2
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is a normal sperm concentration and total number per sample?

A
  • normal concentration is > 15 millon per ml
  • total number should be > 39 million per sample
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is normal motility and vitality of sperm?

A
  • more than 40% of sperm should be mobile
  • more than 58% of sperm should be active
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What should the percentage of normal sperm in a sample be?

A

there should be > 4% normal sperm in a sample

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is polyspermia?

(also called polyzoospermia)

A
  • a high number of sperm in the semen sample
  • this is > 250 million per ml
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is normospermia?

also called normozoospermia

A

the sperm in the semen sample have normal characteristics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is oligospermia?

(also called oligozoospermia)

A
  • there is a reduced number of sperm in the semen sample
  • mild oligospermia when 10 - 15 million per ml
  • moderate oligospermia when 5 - 10 million per ml
  • severe oligospermia when < 5 million per ml
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is cryptozoospermia?

A
  • there is a very low number of sperm in the semen sample
  • this is < 1 million per ml
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is azoospermia?

A

the absence of sperm in the semen sample

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the underlying mechanism causing pre-testicular male infertility?

A
  • testosterone is necessary for sperm creation
  • testosterone is controlled by the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis
  • hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism means that there are low FSH / LH levels, resulting in low testosterone
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What can cause hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism?

A
  • pathology of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
  • suppression due to stress, chronic conditions or hyperprolactinaemia
  • Kallman syndrome
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is Kallman syndrome?

A
  • a rare disease characterised by a lack of GnRH
  • it is characterised by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and an impaired sense of smell
  • it is diagnosed at puberty due to lack of sexual development
17
Q

What factors causing testicular damage can result in infertility?

A
  • mumps
  • undescended testes
  • trauma
  • radiotherapy
  • chemotherapy
  • cancer
18
Q

What congenital / genetic conditions can result in defective / absent sperm production?

A
  • Klinefelter syndrome
  • Y chromosome deletions
  • Sertoli cell-only syndrome
  • anorchia (absent testes)

Klinefelter = males possessing one or more additional X chromosomes

19
Q

What is meant by a post-testicular cause of infertility?

A

an obstruction that prevents sperm from being ejaculated

20
Q

What are the possible post-testicular causes of male factor infertility?

A
  • damage to the testicle / vas deferens from trauma, surgery or cancer
  • retrograde ejaculation
  • ejaculatory duct obstruction
  • scarring from epididymitis (e.g. from chlamydia)
  • absence of the vas deferens (seen in cystic fibrosis)
  • Young’s syndrome
21
Q

What is Young’s syndrome?

A

characterised by a triad of:

  1. azoospermia
  2. bronchiectasis (damaged airways in the lungs + thick, sticky mucus production)
  3. rhinosinusitis

also known as sinusitis-infertility syndrome

22
Q

What are the initial steps for investigating abnormal semen analysis?

A
  • history
  • examination
  • repeat sample
  • USS of the testes
23
Q

What further investigations may be considered in patients with abnormal semen results?

A
  • hormone analysis - FSH, LH + testosterone
  • genetic testing
  • further imaging (MRI / transrectal USS)
  • vasography
  • testicular biopsy
24
Q

What is a vasography?

A
  • contrast is injected into the vas deferens
  • XR images are taken to assess for any obstruction
25
Q

What are the options for management of male factor infertility?

A
  • surgical sperm retrieval (in obstruction)
  • surgical correction of obstruction in the vas deferens
  • intra-uterine insemination
  • ICSI
  • donor insemination

Y4 - GOSH (62 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions