Seminal fluid Flashcards
1
Q
List structure of male reproductive anatomy
A
- Seminiferous tubules: Sertoli cells & Leydig’s cells
- testosterone, sperm production, fluid production - Epididymis
- maturation, storage, the concentration of sperm - Vas deferens: transport
- Seminal vesicle: forms 70% of V
- Prostate: secrete enzyme, forms 25% final V
- Ejaculatory duct: transitional duct to connect with other glands
- Urethra: exit
2
Q
Spermatogenesis
A
- Spermatogonia: dark and light type stemcells
- Primary spermatocytes
- Secondary spermatocytes (haploid but still 2n DNA)
- Spermatids: acrosome and flagella development
- Spermatozoa
3
Q
Sample collecting
A
- More than 2 days, not later than 7-10 days
- From collecting to lab < 1hr
- Pt must avoid drugs/alcohol at least 3 days
4
Q
Semen testing function
A
- Post vasectomy: done 12 wks after the procedure, follow up 2 wks later
- Fertility assessment: determine if pt is infertile
5
Q
Semen - normal
A
- Translucent to cloudy, gray-white color
- Consistency: small, discrete droplets connected by thin strands when being dropped by gravity
- Liquefaction: fresh semen is clotted and should liquefy within 30-60 min (20 min at 37C)
- V: 2-5mL
- pH: 7.2 - 8.0
- Odor: musty/alkaline odor
6
Q
Abnormal semen - Odor
A
- Foul-smelling: pungent, fishy, rotten egg
- Non-pathogenic: pungent food (asparagus, meat, garlic), caffeine, alcohol
- Pathogenic: infection e.g.: trichomonas, gonorrhea, prostatitis
7
Q
Abnormal semen - Color
A
- Opaque white: Incre WBC due to infx. Distinguish with immature sperm by LE test strip
- Yellow:
+ Nonpathogenic: urine contamination, yellow-dyed food, contaminated with drugs, vitamin, alcohol/marijuana consumption
+ Pathogenic: Urinary tract infx, jaundice, leukocytospermia (infx or autoimmune) - Greenish tint: caused by STD or prostatitis
8
Q
Abnormal semen - Hematosperima
A
- Red-pink: fresh blood in semen
- Brow-orange: older blood is oxidized
- Black: older blood present in body long time
- Non-pathogenic: vigorous sex, benign & self-limiting in young men, mostly non-malignant
- Pathogenic: Systemic dz, STI/STD, infx, inflammation, surgery, trauma, cancer (prostate, testicular, or urethra), cyst of seminal vesicles
- Black: spinal cord injury, heavy metal
9
Q
Abnormal semen - Liquefaction
A
- Liquefaction time can impede the ability of sperm to reah egg
- If no liquefaction occurs within 2 hours: add an equal amount of Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline or Proteolytic enzyme (alphachymotrypsin/bromelain)
10
Q
Reason for prolonged Liquefaction
A
- Deficiency of the prostatic enzyme
- Issue with male accessory glands
- Infection
11
Q
Abnormal semen - Consistency
A
- Scale from 0 (watery) to 4 (gel-like)
- Abnormal: thin strands btw 2 drops are longer than 2cm
- Causes of thicker: infrequent ejaculation, high conc. of sperm, dehydration, infection, changes in prostate secretions, and enzyme.
- Cause of watery: frequent ejaculation, low sperm count, zinc deficiency
12
Q
Abnormal semen - pH
A
- Decreased pH: Increased prostatic fluid, ejaculatory duct obstruction, absence of vas deferens, poorly developed of seminal vesicles
- Increased pH: Infx with reproductive tract, older specimen (loss of CO2)
13
Q
Sperm counts
A
- Concentration: the amount of sperm may change the turbidity and consistency
+ Normal: 15mil/mL or 39mil/sample
+ Low: < 15mil - Motility: ability to fertilize the egg
- Morphology: affect the ability to reach, penetrate, and fertilize the egg
14
Q
Composition of normal semen
A
- Testi/Epididymis (5%): 80mil spermatozoa/mL
- Seminal vesicle(60%): fructose, phosphorylcholine, vitC,
- Prostate (30%): spermine, citric acid, zinc acid, cholesterol, phospholipids, phosphatase
- Bulbourethral glands(5%): clear mucus.
15
Q
Parts of sperm
A
- Head: acrosomal cap, nucleus made of dense genetic material (23 chromosomes)
- Body: Mitochondria
- Tail: Protein fibers contract side by side to allow sperm to swim.
