Subfertility 2 Flashcards
How does semen analysis take place?
sample collection
collect after 3 days abstinence
examine within 2 hours of collection
What is the normal volume of semen collected?
2-5ml
What does it mean if the volume is outside the normal range?
low may be androgen deficiency
high may be abnormal accessory gland
What is the normal sperm count?
> 20x10^6/ml
What does it mean if the sperm count is outside this range?
absence of all sperm (azoospermia) = sterility
fluctuates from day to day
abnormality high may be associated with subfertility
How is sperm motility graded?
grade 1 - rapid, linear progressive motility
grade 2 - slow/sluggish linear or non-linear
grade 3 - non-progressive
grade 4 - immotile
Forward progression is V IMP
What else is analysed in the semen?
morphology - >30% is normal (very variable, less predictive)
liquefication time within 30 mins
WBC in sample - ?infection, if pus cells then culture semen
How is the DNA of the sperm analysed?
integrity of sperm DNA is essential
perform the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) to look at the stability of chromatin and then look at DNA fragmentation index (DFI)
How would testicular damage present an endocrine assessment?
high FSH and low AMH
How would obstructive disease present an endocrine assessment?
normal levels
How would hypopituitarism present an endocrine assessment?
low or undetectable FSH and LH
How would spermatogenic failure present an endocrine assessment?
high FSH
low AMH
azopermia
perform a testicular biopsy
What other tests can be carried out to assess the sperm?
cytogenetics - may see XXY or XYY karyotype, can screen for CF
Testicular biopsy - may demonstrate spermatogenesis
Reterograde ejaculation - rare
Immunological tests - can get autoimmunity to sperm antigens
What is the most successful way to treat male infertility?
ICSI - intracytopalsmic sperm injection
direct injection of single immobilised sperm into oocyte
similar pregnancy rates to IVF
slightly high incidence of genetic tract abnormality in children
How can ovarian hyperstimulation be prevented?
use lowest possible effective dose
US monitoring of follicular growth
withdrawing gonadotrophins for a few days