Chapter 11 Semen analysis

name the 4 sections where semen is created

1. testes

2. epididymis

3. seminal vesicles

4. prostate gland

5. bulbourethral glands

nutrient fluid from seminal vesicles contains…?

• citric acid

• flavins

• fructose

• potassium

fluid is slightly ALKALINE

fluid from prostate contains…?

• phosphatase 

• citric acid

• proteolytic enzymes

fluid is slightly ACIDIC

where is sperm stored

epididymis & vas deferens

how are the testes involved in sperm production and what is their function?

testes contain seminiferous tubules that secrete sperm. Germ cells that produce spermatozoa are located in epithelial cells of the seminiferous tubules

how is the epididymis involved in sperm production and what is its function?

where sperm mature and develop flagella. Sperm are stored here until ejaculation

how long is the entire process of spermatogenesis?

90 days

how are the seminal vesicles involved in sperm production and what is its function?

produces the fluid (60-70%) or transport medium for sperm in semen

• contains a high concentration of fructose and flavin

• proteins to help semen coagulate

how is the prostate gland involved in sperm production and what is its function?

helps propel sperm by contracting during ejaculation. fluid produced is about 20-30% of semen volume

how are the bulbourethral glands involved in sperm production and what is its function?

produces a thick, alkaline mucus that helps neutralize acidity from the prostate secretions & the vagina. makes up about 5% of fluid volume

what is the function of spermatozoa

fertilize egg

• 5% semen composition

what is the function of seminal fluid

transport medium; contains fructose which provides energy for motility

• 60-70% semen composition

what is the function of prostate fluid

responsible for coagulation and liquefaction

• 20-30% semen composition

what is the function of bulbourethral gland fluid

neutralize acidity from prostate and vaginal secretions

• 5% semen composition

what is the correct procedure for collecting and handling semen specimens

1. masturbation should be performed after a 48-72 hour abstinence period

2. collect semen after masturbation with no lubrication or condoms

3. semen should be in a wide-mouth clean collection container (plastic or glass)

4. properly label specimen

5. send specimen to lab within 30-60 mins, keeping sample warm

When transporting a sample, it should be transported in:

a sterile container, kept at body temperature

what does normal semen look like

• gray-white or light yellow color

• translucent or opaque

• musty odor

what does clear semen indicate

low sperm concentration

what does white turbid semen indicate

leukocytes indicating infection or inflammation

what does brown or red semen indicate

RBCs

what does yellow semen indicate

urine contamination, prolonged abstinence, deeper yellow associated with certain drugs

what is normal semen volume

2-5mL

what could cause increased semen volume

periods of extended abstinence

what could cause decreased semen volume

infertility

• improper functioning of one of the semen-producing organs, primarily the seminal vesicles

• could be due to incomplete specimen collection

oligospermia

low sperm count < 20 million/mL

azoospermia

absence of sperm in ejaculate

aspermia

complete lack of semen with ejaculation

• NOTHING COMES OUT

hypospermia

low volume of semen during ejaculation

hyperspermia

excessive amount of semen during ejaculation

what does normal sperm viscosity look like

semen should be drawn into a pipette easily and form small discrete droplets that do not appear clumped or stringy when falling by gravity from the pipette

what is considered an abnormal sperm viscosity

Droplets that form threads longer than 2 cm are considered highly viscous

A fresh semen specimen should liquify after how long?

30-60 mins after collection

what can you add to semen that has not liquified after 60 mins?

Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS) or proteolytic enzymes like alpha-chymotrypsin or bromelain

• must document if use

what is the special rule for sperm concentration?

after calculating sperm concentration, you must multiply by 1000 to make it mL

The minimum concentration for a normal sperm count is:

20 million cm³

what are round cells

immature sperm and leukocytes

> 1 million WBCs per mL of ejaculate indicates…?

inflammation associated with infection and poor sperm quality

The percent of motile sperm in a normal semen sample should be approximately (minimum):

50% with a rating of 2.0 after 1 hr

What does a normal spermatozoa head look like?

oval head

The viability test is used to:

determine proportion of living sperm

Viable sperm appear ____ using the eosin-nigrosin stain.

white

normal vitality is ___ or more living cells (should correspond with motility)

50%

low sperm concentration could be due to…?

lack of support medium 

• low to absent fructose level

Specimens can be screened for fructose using the _____ test

resorcinol

what does a positive resorcinol test look like

orange-red color present

is the resorcinol test quantitative or qualitative

qualitative

what are the 2 tests to detect antisperm antibodies?

1. mixed agglutination reaction (MAR) test

2. immunobead test 

This may cause a couple to not be able to conceive

anti-sperm antibodies

A test often used in criminal cases for detection of semen is...

testing seminal fluid for prostatic Acid Phosphatase or seminal glycoprotein p30