Chapter 14: Identification of Semen

Spermatogenesis

The process of generating spermatozoa.

**2–5 mL**

A typical ejaculation releases **_____** of semen, which contains seminal fluid and sperm cells.

**107 - 108**

A normal sperm count ranges from **_____** spermatozoa per milliliter of semen.

Seminal fluid

is a complex mixture of glandular secretions.

Prostatic fluid secretions

____ account for approximately 30% of the ejaculate.

Vasectomy

The surgical removal of a bilateral segment of the ductus deferens. It prevents spermatozoa from reaching the distal portions of the male p\[\[\[\[\[\[eproductive tract.

Oligospermia

The condition by which males have abnormally low sperm counts.

Azoospermia

A condition that causes males to produce no spermatozoa.

head

The ________ contains a nucleus with densely packed chromosomes.

Acrosomal Cap

A membranous compartment containing enzymes essential for fertilization found at the tip of the head.

tail or flagellum

The _________ is responsible for spermatozoon motility.

Acid phosphatase (AP)

consists of a group of phosphatases with optimal activity in an acidic pH environment.

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)

It is a major protein present in seminal fluid at concentrations of 0.5–2.0 mg/mL.

seminal vesicle–specific antigen (SVSA)

Human __________ includes two major types, semenogelin I (SgI) and semenogelin II (SgII).

Colorimetric Assays

The AP contained in semen can hydrolyze a variety of phosphate esters. It catalyzes the removal of the phosphate group from a substrate. An insoluble colored precipitate at sites of acid phosphatase activity is formed with a stabilized diazonium salt.

Fluorometric Assays

These are more sensitive than the colorimetric detection of AP and are used for semen stain mapping. AP catalyzes the removal of the phosphate residue on a 4-methylumbelliferone phosphate (MUP) substrate a reaction that generates fluorescence under ultraviolet light.

Microscopic Examination of Spermatozoa

The cells from a questioned stain on an absorbent material can be transferred to a microscope slide by extracting a small portion of a stain with water, followed by gentle vortexing.

Nuclear Fast Red (NFR)

A dye used for staining the nuclei of spermatozoa in the presence of aluminum ions.

Picroindigocarmine (PIC)

A green component that stains the neck and tail portions of the sperm.

Laser capture microdissection (LCM)

_______ has been shown to be an effective technique for separating spermatozoa from nonsperm cells.