Seminal Fluid Flashcards
Purpose for seminal fluid
Evaluate infertility, post-vasectomy, evaluate sperm donors, forensic DNA analysis
Aspermia
No ejaculate
Asthenozoospermia
sperm motility less than reference value
Normospermia
normal ejaculate defined by reference values
Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia
abnormalities of count, motility, and morphology
Oligozoospermia
sperm count less than reference range
teratozoospermia
sperm morphology less than reference range
Seminal vesicles
fluid contains fructose
Prostatic fluid
coagulation and liquefaction
Bulbourethral fluid
aids in acid neutralization
Seminal vesicle fluid
makes up to 60% of the total fluid volume contains fructose and flavin
(sperm become motile when they encounter this fluid)
Fructose
metabolized by sperm
Flavin
gives semen its color and green-white fluorescence under UV light
Prostatic Fluid
1/3 of volume
contains: acid phosphatase, citric acid, zinc, proteolytic enzymes
What does high concentration of acid phosphatase mean?
ID fluid as semen
Bulbourethral glands
roughly 5% of total volume
thick, alkaline mucous
purpose: to neutralize acid environment to ensure sperm motility
Sample Handling
Collect & deliver to lab w/in 1 hr of collection, clean plastic/glass container, keep sample at RT, time recieved in lab and collect time is vital
Color/clarity:
gray-white/opaque (musty odor)
Increased turbidity
associated w/ increased WBC
Red color
indicated RBC
Yellow
contamination with urine
Liquefaction
normally occurs w/in 30-60 min
Liquefaction w/in 1-2 hours
abnormal: deficiency in proteolytic/prostatic enzymes
pH range
7.2-8.0
