Semen Analysis

Cards (60)

  • CLINICAL MICROSCOPY: Seminal Fluid Analysis
  • Anatomy and Physiology of the male reproductive system

    • External structures
    • Internal structures
    • Spermatogenesis
  • Meatus

    Opening of urethra = tip of the glans
  • Glans penis

    Connected to the body or shaft
  • Shaft or body

    During arousal or sexual stimulation, what you get to see is a longer, more pronounced, rigid, rock-hard shaft of the penis because this part is made up of erectile muscles
  • Scrotum

    Skin-like structure beneath the penis
  • Penis

    Composed of three structures: glans, body, and the root
  • Testes

    Composed of lobes of seminiferous tubules containing germ cells that will later mature into sperm cells
  • Seminiferous tubules

    Germ cells will soon develop into super mature sperm cells, which are produced in the seminiferous tubules and are later brought to the epididymis for maturation
  • Epididymis

    During stimulation or the process of ejaculation, matured cells are stored in the epididymis, and go into the ductus or vas deferens
  • Vas deferens

    From the vas deferens, it goes forward and passes through the ampulla of the ductus deferens and goes to the ejaculatory duct
  • Ejaculatory duct

    Fuses with the prostatic urethra (a passageway that is enclosed or surrounded by the prostate gland)
  • Seminal vesicle

    First exocrine gland to encounter sperm cells that pass from the vas deferens, secretes fluid rich in fructose to provide energy and flow support for sperm cells
  • Prostate gland

    Secretions are acidic in nature, contains enzymes, zinc, and other substances for the lysis of the coagulated seminal fluid
  • Bulbourethral gland

    Secretions are alkaline in nature, neutralizes the acidic environment in the vagina which is detrimental to sperm cells
  • Majority of the seminal fluid is secreted by the seminal vesicle
  • From the bulbourethral gland, the secretion passes through the urethra and then goes out to the urethral meatus to be delivered into the external environment
  • Anatomy and Physiology: Male Reproductive System
    • Penis
    • Two (2) testes (gonads) inside the scrotum
    • System of exocrine glands (2 bulbourethral glands, 2 seminal vesicles, and the prostate gland) whose secretions from the seminal fluid
    • Ducts that connect this system and transport sperm and seminal fluid into and through the urethra (epididymis, vas deferens, and ejaculatory duct)
  • Spermatogenesis

    1. Spermatogonia (Germ cells)
    2. Primary spermatocyte
    3. Secondary spermatocyte
    4. Spermatids
    5. Mature sperm
  • One (1) daughter cell type B will develop or produce four (4) mature sperms
  • Spermatogenesis processes

    • Mitosis
    • 2 Stages of Meiosis (Meiosis I & Meiosis II)
    • Spermiogenesis (maturation of sperm; spermatid → sperm)
  • Specimen collection

    • The entire ejaculate must be collected for analysis
    • Specimens are collected following a period of sexual abstinence of at least 2 days to not more than 7 days
    • If you collect the specimen of less than 2 days of sexual abstinence, most likely you are to get an inadequate sample
    • If more than 7 days, increased fluid volume, longer time of liquefaction, cause impedance or impedes motility = false results in semen analysis
    • When performing fertility testing, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that two or three samples must be collected not less than 7 days or more than 3 weeks apart, with two abnormal samples considered significant
  • Portions of ejaculating

    • First Portion (Pre-cum)
    • Second Portion
  • First portion of the ejaculate
    • Contains the majority of the sperm cells
    • Failure to collect the first portion of the ejaculate will lead to a false decrease in sperm count or sperm concentration
  • Second portion of the ejaculate
    • Contains larger volume
    • Failure to collect the entire second portion of the ejaculate would lead to lower volume, thus resulting in false results in semen analysis
  • The laboratory should provide the patient with warm sterile glass or plastic containers to avoid contamination of the sample
  • Laboratory personnel must record the patient's Name and Birth Date, Period of Sexual Abstinence, and Completeness of the Sample
  • Time of Specimen Collection
    You need to note at least 30-60 minutes before proceeding to semen analysis to allow for liquefaction
  • Specimen receipt

    • The preferred method of semen collection is by MASTURBATION
    • It is NOT recommended to use condoms as they contain spermicides that kill the sperm cells
  • Semen Analysis

    • Macroscopic examination
    • Microscopic examination
  • Macroscopic parameters

    • Volume
    • Viscosity
    • pH
  • Microscopic parameters

    • Sperm concentration
    • Motility
    • Quality
    • Morphology
    • Round cells
  • Normal semen volume

    1. 5 mL
  • Viscosity

    Pours in droplets
  • Normal pH

    7.2 - 8.0
  • Normal sperm concentration

    > 20 million/mL
  • Normal sperm count

    > 40 million/ejaculate
  • Volume

    If a volume of more than 5 mL is collected, this would mean that the patient has had sexual abstinence for more than 7 days. It might also be contaminated with other fluids such as urine (take note of the color).
  • Proper way of measuring volume
    Using a calibrated plasma or cylinder glass
  • Viscosity

    1. Let the fluid stand for 30 to 60 minutes to allow the enzymes secreted by the prostate gland to take effect causing liquefaction of the coagulum
    2. If the viscosity is very high and it does not pour in droplets, there is a problem with the secretions of the prostate gland that might cause a deficiency of the enzymes that will cause liquefaction of the specimen