Semen Flashcards
Semen is composed of 4 fractions that are contributed by the testes
Epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands
Testes are paired glands in the scrotum that contain the
Seminiferous tubules
Provide support and nutrients for the germ cells as they undergo mitosis and meiosis (spermarogenesis)
Specialized sertoli cells
When spermatogenesis is complete, the ___ (non motile) enter the epididymis
Immature sperm
Where the sperm mature and develop flagella
Epididymis
The entire process of spermatozoa takes approx how many days?
90 days
- Produce most of the fluid present in semen ( 60% to 70%)
- fluid contains high conc of fructose and flavin
- transport medium for the sperm
Seminal vesicles
Metabolize the fructose for the energy needed for the flagella to propel them through the female reproductive tract
Spermatozoa
Responsible for the gray appearance of semen
Flavin
- Surrounds the upper urethra, aids in propelling the sperm through the uretura by contractions during ejaculation
- 20- 30% acidic fluid , contains enzymes responsible for coagulation and liquefaction
Muscular prostate gland
- Contribute about 5% fluid volume (thick, alkaline mucus)
- neutralize acidity from the prostate secretions and vagina
Bulbourethral glands
Most of the sperm are contained in the - portion of the ejaculate
First portion
Specimens are collected FF a period of sexual abstinence of at least
2 to 7 days
When performing fertility testing, the WHO recommends that - samples be collected
2-3 samples
Appropriate specimen container
Warm sterile glass or plastic containers
Specimens awaiting analysis should be kept at
37°C
Ordinary condoms are not acceptable because they contain spermicides, instead they use
Nonlubricant containing rubber or polyurethane condoms
Parameters reported in semen analysis
Appearance, volume, viscosity, PH, sperm concentration and count, mobility and morphology
Normal semen appearance
Gray white color, translucent, characteristic musty odor
When the sperm concentration is very low the specimen may appear?
Almost clear
Increased white turbidity indicates the presence of
WBC and infection
During microscopic examination, WBCs must be differentiated from
Immature sperm (spermatids)
Useful to screen the presence of WBC’s in semen
Leukocyte esterase reagent strip
Associated with the presence of RBC’S
Red coloration
May be caused by urine contamination or prolonged abstinence and medications
Yellow color
A fresh semen specimen is clotted and should liquefy within
30 to 60 minutes
Failure of liquefaction to occur within 60 mins may be caused by
Deficiency in prostatic enzymes
Used to induce liquefaction
Balbeccos phosphate buffered saline, proteolytic enzymes
Jelly like granules (gelatinous bodies)
No clinical significance
Normal semen volume ranges between
2-5 mL
Function of seminiferous tubules of testes
Spermatogenesis
Epididymis function
Sperm maturation
Function of ductus deferens
Propel sperm to ejaculatory ducts
Function of seminal vesicle
Provide nutrients for sperm and fluid
Prostate gland function
Provide enzymes and proteins for coagulation and liquefaction
Bulbourethral glands function
Add alkaline mucus to neutralize prostatic and and vaginal acidity
Spermatozoa semen composition
5%
Seminal fluid semen composition
60 - 70%
Prostate fluid semen composition
20% - 30%
Bulbourethral glands semen composition
5%
The PH should be measured within _ hour of ejaculation due to the loss of CO 2 that occurs
1 hour
Normal pH of semen is alkaline with a range of
7.2 - 8.0
Decreased PH may be associated with
associated with increased prostatic fluid,ejaculatory duct obstruction, poorly develop seminal vesicle
Total sperm count for the ejaculate can be calculated by
Sperm concentration x specimen volume
Total sperm count considered normal
40 million per ejaculate ( 20 millions/ml x 2 mL)
The most commonly used dilution ratio
1:20
Diluting fluids
Sodium bicarbonate and formalin traditional)
Saline and distilled water
Indications of > 1 million leukocytes per ml
Inflammation or infection of the reproductive organs
> 1 million spermatids per ml indicates
Disruption of spermatogenesis
Minimum mobility considered normal
50%, 2.0 rating after 1 hour
Rapid straight-line mobility
4.0, A
Slower speed, some lateral movement
3.0, B
Slow forward progression, noticeable lateral movement
2.0, B
No forward progression
1.0,c
No movement
0, D
Sperm moving linearly or in a large circle
Progressive motility
Sperm moving with an absence of progression
Non-progressive motility
No movement
immotility
Normal sperm
Oval shaped head, 5 um long 3 um wide
Normal flagella tail
45 um long
Critical to ovum penetration is the enzyme containing - located at the tip of the head
acrosomal cap
Sperm morphology is evaluated from a thinly smeared stained slide under
Oil immersion
At least - sperm should be evaluated
200
Staining can be performed using
Wrights, giemsa, shorr, or papanicolaou stain
No semen volume
Aspermia
No spermatozoa in semen
Azoospermia
Leukocytes present in semen
Leukospermia
The head of a normal spermatozoon structure contains
Acrosome, cell membrane, nucleus
Normal sperm concentration
> 20 x 10^6/ml
Total sperm count
> 40 x 10^6 per ejaculate
<20 x10^6/ml
Oligospermia, sub-fertile
<5x10^6/ml
Infertile
No ejaculate
Aspermia
diluent for sperm conc/ count
100 ml distilled H2O + 1 mL neutral buffered formalin + 5 gm NaHCO3
1:20 dilution
0.5 mL of semen + 10 mL diluent thoroughly mixed
How many counts is calculated in the neubauer chamber for sperm count
2 chambers
(-)
azoospermia
Increased semen volume may be due to
Extended abstinence, varicocoele
Decreased semen volume
Infertility, dysfunction of semen producing organs, incomplete specimen collection
Forward progression mobility rate
> 50%
Rapid progression motility rate
> 25%
< 50% motility after 2 hours
Asthenozoospermia, infertility
acrosomal cap should encompass _ of the head
1/2
Strict criteria for normal morphology
> 14%
Routine criteria for normal morphology
> 30%
