SEMENALYSIS - LAB

VOLUME

2-5 ML

VISCOSITY

Pours in deroplets

pH

7.2 to 8.0

Sperm concentration

>20 million/mL

Sperm count

>40 million/ejaculate

Motility

>50% within 1 h

Quality

>2.0 or a, b, c in table 10-3

Morphology

>14% normal forms (strict criteria)

>30% normal forms (routine criteria)

Round cells

<1.0 million/mL

Appearance

Normal is gray-white color, translucent with “Musty odor”

Clear

sperm concentration is very low

White turbidity

presence of WBC / Infection with the reproductive tract

Red

blood cells (abnormal)

Yellow

urine contamination, prolonged abstinence, medications

Hematospermia:

Presence of RBC in the sperm

Urine is toxic to sperm:

affects motility

Liquefaction

Fresh specimen is “Clotted” and should liquefy in 30–60 minutes after collection

Failure of liquefaction to occur within 60 minutes may becaused by a deficiency in “prostatic enzymes” and should be reported

If after 2 hours the specimen has not liquefied:

1. Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline

2. Proteolytic enzymes (Alphachymotrypsin or Bromelain)

Jelly-like granules (gelatinous bodies)

may be present in liquefied semen specimens and have no clinical significance.

Mucus strands

present, may interfere with semen analysis.

Volume

Normal Volume: 2 – 5 mL

Increased volume

may be seen following periods of extended abstinence.

Decreased volume

infertility; indicate improper functioning of one of the

semen producing organs (seminal vesicles).

Normal Viscosity:

easily drawn into a pipette and pours in droplets that do not appear clumped or stringy

Viscosity:

refers to the consistency of the fluid and may be related to specimen liquefaction.

Incompletely liquefied:

specimens are clumped and highly viscous.

Viscosity

Can also be reported as low, normal, or high.

Increased viscosity and incomplete liquefaction impede testing for sperm motility,

sperm concentration, anti-sperm antibody detection, and measurement of

biochemical markers

Viscosity

Rate 0 (watery) to 4 (gel-like) or low, normal, high.

highly viscous

(abnormal).

Droplets that form threads longer than 2 cm are considered

Grade 4.0 , WHO a

Rapid, straight-line motility

Grade 3.0 , WHO b

Slower speed, some lateral movement

Grade 2.0 , WHO b

Slower forward progression, noticeable lateral movement

Grade 1.0 , WHO c

No forward progression

Grade 0 , WHO d

No movement

Progressive motility

Sperm moving linearly or in a large circle

Non progressive motility

Sperm moving with an absence of progression

Immotility

No movement