Seminal Fluid analysis

Chapter 12

what would be some reasons as to why we are analyzing seminal fluid?

evaluate infertility, follow up from vasectomy effectiveness, evaluate sperm quality for sperm donation, forensic applications

what 3 hormones are secreted by the testes?

testosterone, LH, and FSH

sperm production is regulated by “—-” cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes.

sertoli

production and secretion of testosterone is the responsibility of the “—-” cells

leydig

“—” are the barrier that separates the epithelium into two distinct compartments, which acts as a barrier that limits the movement of chmical substances from the blood into the tubular lumen

Sertoli cells

the epithelium of smininiferous tubules consistis of “—” cells and germ cells ( spermatogonia)

sertoli

germ cells (spermatogenia) cells undergo “—-” division to produce more germ cells, but some can undergo “—-: division until they form spermatids

mitotic ; meiotic

what is the evolution of spermagonia ?

spermagonia → primary spermatocytes→ primary spermatocytes→spermatids

pathway of sperm

mature in epididimis → vas deferens→urethra ( flulid added here)

the “—” and the “—” produce and store fluids that give sperm the principle transport media they need

seminal vescilies and prostate gland

for a feritity assessment, several samples over a “—” month period are required with abstinence between 2-7 days before each sample collection

3 month period

what are requirements of the collection container before the sample is collected?

should be at room or body temp to avoid cold shock to the sperm

is the time of sperm collelction really that important?

yes! the lab must receive the specimen within one hour after collection

if the sperm collection isnt meet within the time requirements of an hour and not held within 20 to 40 degreec celsius, what can we see happen to the quality fo the specimen?

specimen will not be satisfactory for sperm function test and low sperm motility can result

why is it crucial the ALL specimen is collected and that no part of the sample is not included ?

• sperm conc can be falsely decreased

• semen voulume will be drcreased, sperm will be falsely increased

What is the normal color ?

gray-white opalescent

the presence of “—-” could cause the seminal fluid to appear more turbid

WBC

seminal fluid immediately coagulates, but within “—” minutes should liquify

30-60

what is the normal volume ?

2-5 mL

what should the viscocity of seminla fluid be after liquification?

watery and forms discrete droplets

After liquification, if the seminal fluid is not water-drop like , it is consided “—”

hyper viscous

“—”% or more of total sperm should show moderate to strong linear or forward progression

50

A test of “—-” should be done on all samples that pass the 50% motility marker

viability ( how many are sperm alive? dead?

when doing a vitability test we are looking for “—”% or more alive sperm

75

what stain is used to assess viability of sperm?

NIgrosin-Eosin stain

what color will live sperm be under a nigrosin-eosin stain? what color will dead sperm be?

live sperm- unstained

dead sperm- pink ( membrane is damaged, so stain leaks in)

normal sperm count per mL

20 - 250 million

how is the concentration of sperm determined?

hemocytomemter (1:20 dilution initially used) sperm counts

sperm count = sperm concentration x voulume of ejaculate

sperm count = ( sperm/mL) x (total mL collected of sample)

post vasectomy sperm sounts should be zero, but any remaning sperm should be “—”

non-motile

what are the 5 ways sperm morphology os classified?

-normal

-head defects

-midpiece defects

tail defects

cytoplasmic droplet present

more than “—-” WBC per milliliter indicates an inflammatory process

1 mil

true or flase : it is abnormal to see RBCs in seminal fluid

true

what two components in seminal fluid could look alike

immature spermatogenic cells and WBC

pH of seminal Fluid

7.2- 7.8

what does seminal fluid above pH7.8 suggest?

infection

what does seminal fluid below pH 7.2 suggest?

abnormalities in epididimis, vans defrens, seminal vesicles

specimens not at the alb and tested within an hour of collection can have altared pH… an increase in pH can result from a loss of “—” while a decrease in pH can result of “—-” accumulation

increased pH can result from a loss of CO2 ( loss of acid makes it basic)

decreased pH can result from lactic acid accumulation ( increase of acid)

what sugar is produced and secreted by the seminal vescicles ?

fructose

Presence of “—” in seminal fluid reflects the secretory function of the seminal vescilces and the integrity of the ejaculatory ducts and the vans dfrans

fructose

what can cause low frucose levels and azoospermia in seminal fluid?

obstruction of ejaculatory ducts or abnormalities in seminal vesicles or vas deferens

fructose reference levels

13 micromol per ejaculate

we don’t always test seminal fluid for fructose, what are some instances where we actually might test it ?

when we are seeing no sperm in the sperm count

“—” and “—”is used to evaluate prostate function

zinc ( without zinc we have no sperm) and citric acid

zinc levels

greater than or equal to 2.4 mmol per ejaculate

cirtic acid normal levels

greater than or equal to 52 mmol per ejaculate

“—-” serves as energy for sperm motility and when the sperm reaches the egg, it gives the sperm the extra energy to penetrate the egg

citric acid

what component in sperm has a role in its structure?

zinc

“—” is a useful marker to assess the secretory function of the prostae gland

acid phosphatase

seminal fluid has an extreamly high concentration of acid phosphatase, more than any other body fluid, making it useful in ….

SA investigations

alpha glucosidase is an enzyme that when tested for evaluates “—” functions

epididymal ( can help ID obstructions)

what is the role of alpha glucosidease ?

modify sperm glycoproteins in motility, proliferation and penetration