Semen Flashcards
1
Q
Reasons for semen analysis
A
Fertility testing
Post-vasectomy semen analysis
Forensic analyses
2
Q
Semen is composed of four fractions that are contributed by
A
Testes and epididymis
Seminal vesicles
Prostate gland
Bulbourethral glands
3
Q
Semen Composition
A
Spermatozoa 5%
Seminal fluid 60% to 70%
Prostate fluid 20% to 30%
Bulbourethral glands 5%
4
Q
The stages of cellular maturation of sperm from youngest to most mature stage are as follows
A
Spermatogonia → Spermatocytes → Spermatids → Spermatozoa
5
Q
Function of seminiferous tubule
A
Produce spermatozoa
6
Q
Provide support and nutrients for the germ cells as they undergo mitosis and meiosis (spermatogenesis)
A
Sertoli cells
7
Q
Duration of sperm maturation and development of flagella
A
90 days
8
Q
Function of epididymis
A
Sperm maturation
9
Q
The ejaculatory ducts receive both the sperm from the ductus deferens and fluid from the seminal vesicles. True or False?
A
True
10
Q
Produce fluid to serve as the transport medium for the sperm
A
Seminal vesicles
11
Q
Fluid that serves as the transport medium for the sperm
A
Semen
12
Q
Seminal fluid contains a high concentration of
A
Fructose
Flavin
13
Q
Function of fructose in semen
A
Spermatozoa metabolize the fructose for the energy needed for the flagella to propel them through the female reproductive tract
14
Q
In the absence of fructose, sperm still display motility in the semen analysis. True or False?
A
False; do not display motility
15
Q
Responsible for the gray appearance of semen
A
Flavin
16
Q
Proteins secreted by seminal vesicles are involved in the coagulation of the ejaculate. True or False?
A
True
17
Q
Aids in propelling the sperm through the urethra by contractions during ejaculation
A
Prostate gland
18
Q
Milky acidic fluid that contains high concentrations of acid phosphatase, citric acid, zinc, and proteolytic enzymes
A
Prostatic fluid
19
Q
Responsible for both the coagulation and liquefaction of the semen following ejaculation
A
Acid phosphatase, citric acid, zinc, and proteolytic enzymes in prostatic fluid
20
Q
Produce a thick, alkaline mucus that helps to neutralize acidity from the prostate secretions and the vagina
A
Bulbourethral glands
21
Q
Why is it important for semen to be alkaline?
A
To neutralize the vaginal acidity
22
Q
The muscle movement causing the release of sperm and other seminal fluids
A
Peristalsis
23
Q
Most of the sperm are contained in the first portion of the ejaculate. True or False?
A
True
24
Q
Specimens are collected following a period of sexual abstinence of at least
A
2 days to not more than 7 days
25
Prolonged abstinence will result to
Higher volumes and decreased motility
26
How to collect samples for fertility test, as recommended by WHO
2-3 samples are collected not less than 7 days or more than 3 weeks apart, with 2 abnormal samples considered significant
27
Temperature requirement for specimen collected at home
Room Temperature
28
Specimen collected at home should be delivered to the laboratory within
1 hour of collection
29
Specimens awaiting analysis should be kept at temperature of
37 C
30
Clotted specimen should liquefy in
30-60 minutes
31
What to do if after 2 hours if the specimen has not liquefied?
Add Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline, alpha-chymotrypsin, or bromelain to induce liquefaction
32
What will happen if the first portion of ejaculate missing?
Decreased sperm count, Falsely increased pH, Specimen will not liquefy
33
What will happen if the last portion of ejaculate missing?
Increased sperm count, Falsely decreased pH, Specimen will not clot, Decrease semen volume
34
Best method of semen collection
Self-production or masturbation
35
Enumerate and define the other methods of semen collection
Coitus interruptus: withdrawal method
Vaginal vault aspiration: aspiration of seminal fluid from the vaginal vault after coitus
Condom method: only nonlubricant-containing rubber or polyurethane condoms should be used
36
Why is it that coitus interruptus is not a reliable means of semen collection?
Because the first portion of the ejaculate, which contains the highest number of spermatozoa, may be lost and the low pH of the vaginal fluid may affect sperm motility
37
Why is it that ordinary condoms are not acceptable for semen collection?
They contain spermicides
38
Characteristic of normal semen
Gray-white color, translucent, and has a characteristic musty odor
39
Indication of clear semen
Sperm concentration is very low
40
White turbidity in semen indicates
Presence of WBCs and infection within the reproductive tract
41
Red coloration in semen indicates
Presence of RBCs and are abnormal
42
Yellow coloration in semen indicates
Urine contamination, specimen collection following prolonged abstinence, and medications
43
Failure of semen to liquefy within 60 minutes may be indicate a
Deficiency in prostatic enzymes
44
Normal semen volume
2-5 mL
45
Increased semen volume indicates
Extended abstinence
46
Decreased semen volume indicates
Infertility
Improper functioning of one of the semen producing organs
Incomplete specimen collection
47
Normal viscosity of semen
Easily drawn into a pipette and form small discrete droplets that do not appear clumped or stringy when falling by gravity from the pipette
48
Increased viscosity of semen
Droplets that form threads longer than 2 cm
49
The pH should be measured within
1 hour of ejaculation
50
Normal semen pH
7.2-8.0
51
Increased semen pH indicates
Infection within the reproductive tract
52
Decreased semen pH indicates
Increased prostatic fluid, ejaculatory duct obstruction, or poorly developed seminal vesicles
53
Reference value for sperm concentration
>20-250 million sperm/mL
54
Borderline value for sperm concentration
10 and 20 million sperm/mL
55
Diluent used for sperm counting
Formalin
Sodium bicarbonate
Saline
Distilled water
56
Purpose of diluents
To immobilize the sperm before counting
57
Microscopy technique used for sperm counting
Phase or Bright-field microscopy
58
Counting chamber used for undiluted specimen
Makler Counting Chamber
59
Makler Counting Chamber uses _____ to immobilize sperm cells
Heat
60
Mature sperm and WBCs, often referred to as “round” cells, must be included to the count. True or False?
False; must not be counted
61
Formula for round cells
C = (Number of Round Cells x Sperm Concentration)/100
62
>1 million leukocytes/mL indicates
Inflammation or infection of the reproductive organs
63
>1 million spermatids/mL indicates
Disruption of spermatogenesis
64
Normal value for sperm count
>40 million/ejaculate
65
Formula for sperm count
Sperm count = Sperm concentration x Volume of specimen
66
Complete or total absence of spermatozoa
Azoospermia
67
Complete or total absence of spermatozoa
Azoospermia
68
Ejaculation does not emit any semen
Aspermia
69
<10 million sperm/mL of semen
Oligospermia
70
Nonviable or completely dead or immobile sperm
Necrospermia
71
Motility that is critical for fertility
Forward, progressive movement
72
Normal sperm motility
50%; rated as 2
73
Sperm motility should be assessed using a _____ semen specimen within _____ of specimen collection; can be evaluated at _____
Well-mixed, liquefied
1 hour
Room temperature or 37°C
74
Motility is evaluated by both
Speed
Direction
75
Parameters measured by CASA
Velocity
Trajectory
Concentration
Morphology
76
Transcribe CASA
Computer Assisted Semen Analysis
77
Describe the WHO criteria for sperm motility
a Rapid, straight-line motility
b Slower speed, some lateral movement
b Slow forward progression, noticeable lateral movement
c No forward progression
d No movement
78
Describe the alternative grading criteria for sperm motility
Progressive motility (PM) Sperm moving linearly or in a large circle
Nonprogressive motility (NP) Sperm moving with an absence of progression
Immotility (IM) No movement
79
Percentage of sperm showing actual forward movement can then be estimated after evaluating approximately ______
20 HPF
80
Characteristics of normal sperm head
Oval-shaped head approximately 5 µm long and 3 µm wide
81
Length of flagellar tail
45 µm long
82
Contains enzyme critical to ovum penetration
Acrosomal cap
83
Attaches the head to the tail and the midpiece
Neckpiece
84
Thickest part of the sperm tail
Midpiece
85
Length of midpiece
7.0 µm long
86
Structure surrounding the midpiece
Mitochondrial sheath
87
Abnormalities in head morphology leads to
Poor ovum penetration
88
Neckpiece, midpiece, tail abnormalities affects
Motility
89
Abnormally long neckpiece leads to
Sperm head to bend backward and interfere with motility
90
Describe the routine criteria for sperm morphology
Sperm morphology is evaluated from a thinly smeared, stained slide under oil immersion
Staining can be performed using Wright’s stain, Giemsa, Shorr or Papanicolaou stain and is a matter of laboratory preference
At least 200 sperms should be evaluated and the percentage of abnormal sperm reported
Normal values: >30% normal forms
91
Describe the krugger's strict criteria for sperm morphology
Evaluating sperm morphology include measuring head, neck and tail size; measuring acrosome size and evaluating for the presence of vacuoles
Strict criteria evaluation requires the use of stage micrometer or morphometry
Strict criteria evaluation is an integral part of assisted reproduction evaluations
Normal values: >14% normal forms
92
Decreased sperm vitality may be suspected when a specimen has a normal sperm concentration with markedly decreased motility. True or False?
True
93
Sperm vitality should be assessed within
1 hour of ejaculation
94
Vitality is evaluated by mixing the specimen with an eosin-nigrosin stain, preparing a smear, and counting the number of dead cells in 100 sperm using a brightfield or phase-contrast microscope
Modified Bloom's Test
95
Describe the result of Modified Bloom's Test
Living cells: unstained and remain bluish white (at least 50%)
Dead cells: stain red against the purple background
96
Presence of a large proportion of vital but immobile cells indicates
Defective flagellum
97
High number of immotile and nonviable cells indicates
Epididymal pathology
98
Normal quantitative level of fructose
≥13 µmol/ejaculate
99
Screening test for the presence of fructose
Resorcinol Test
100
Positive result of Resorcinol Test
Orange color
101
Separates sperm from the male immune system
Blood-testes barrier
102
Damaged sperm may cause the production of antibodies in the female partner. True or False?
True
103
How to demonstrate antisperm antibodies in women?
Mix the semen with the female cervical mucosa or serum and observe for agglutination
104
Screening procedure to detect the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies
Mixed agglutination reaction
105
Describe the process of Mixed agglutination reaction
Semen sample containing motile sperm is incubated with IgG antihuman globulin (AHG) and a suspension of latex particles or treated RBCs coated with IgG
The bivalent AHG binds simultaneously to both the antibody on the sperm and the antibody on the latex particles or RBCs, forming microscopically visible clumps of sperm and particles or cells
106
Normal value for mixed agglutination reaction
<10% motile sperm attached to the particles
107
Specific procedure used to detect the presence of IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies
Immunobead Test
108
Immunobead Test demonstrates what area of the sperm the autoantibodies are affecting. True or False?
True
109
Normal value of Immunobead Test
Presence of beads on <50% of the sperm
110
The presence of >1 million leukocytes/mL indicates
Infection within the reproductive system, frequently the prostate
111
Used to determine whether semen is actually present in a specimen in cases of alleged rape
Medico-legal testing
112
Motile sperm can be detected for up to _____ after intercourse, whereas nonmotile sperm can persist for _____. As the sperm die off, only the heads remain and may be present for _____ after intercourse
24 hours
3 days
7 days
113
A more specific method for sperm detection
Detection of seminal glycoprotein p30
114
Positive result of Florence Test
Dark brown rhombic crystals
115
Positive result of Barbiero’s Test
Yellow leaf-shape crystals
116
Only concern is the presence or absence of spermatozoa
Postvasectomy semen analysis
117
A single “motile” sperm on a wet preparation for postvasectomy analysis indicates
Unsuccessful vasectomy
118
Sperm are incubated with species-nonspecific hamster eggs and penetration is observed microscopically
Hamster egg penetration
119
Observation of sperm’s ability to penetrate partner’s midcycle cervical mucus
Cervical mucus penetration
120
Sperm exposed to low-sodium concentrations are evaluated for membrane integrity and sperm viability
Hypo-osmotic swelling
121
Evaluation of the acrosome to produce enzymes essential for ovum penetration
In vitro acrosome reaction
