Lab Practical: Basic Semen Analysis

Question 1

What is semen analysis?

Answer 1

Semen analysis provides a comprehensive view of the reproductive functioning of the male. Many fertility disorders in the male are identified (not diagnosed but found) through semen analysis.

Question 2

What are the two main components of semen which we can quantify?

Answer 2

Total number of spermatozoa

Total fluid volume contributed to by the accessory glands

Question 3

What are the main things that can be assessed by semen analysis?

Answer 3

Sperm number/concentration
Semen volume
Sperm motility
Sperm vitality
Sperm morphology
Physical characteristics of ejaculate (liquefaction time and pH)
Presence of other cells such as blood cells and epithelial cells.

Question 4

What is aspermia

Answer 4

No ejaculate

Question 5

What is globozoospermia

Answer 5

Sperm with a round head and no acrosome

Question 6

How is a sample produced usually

Answer 6

by masturbation, from a spermicide free condom, coitus interuptus (not reliable as the first part of the ajacualte which is the most sperm rich may be lost)

Question 7

How long should the abstinence time be ideally before a semen sample is produced

Answer 7

At least 2 days and no more than 7 days

Question 8

What do we look for on macroscopic examination

Answer 8

Ejaculate volume
Appearance
pH
Liquefaction
Viscosity

Question 9

What type of microscope is used to look at a wet semen preparation and why

Answer 9

phase contrast microscope because we are looking at a fairly large unstained cell
20x or 40x

Question 10

How do we define rapid progressive motility

Answer 10

> 1/2 tail length/second
or
5 head lengths/second

Question 11

What is the WHO classification for sperm motility

Answer 11

Class a - rapidly progressive
Class b - slowly progressive
class c - moving but not progressive
Class d - immotile

Question 12

what velocity is defined as class a

Answer 12

> or equal to 25um/s

Question 13

what velocity is class b

Answer 13

5-24um/s

Question 14

what velocity is class c

Answer 14

<5um/s

Question 15

What classes are deemed progressively motile?

Answer 15

class a and b

Question 16

what is the definition of immotile sperm

Answer 16

no signs of intrinsic motility

note cells may still be alive

Question 17

How is a semen sample assessed

Answer 17

Phase contrast microscope

200 cells counted in 4 fields

Question 18

What can semen analysis inform

Answer 18

can be informative about problems in the male with ;
sperm production
sperm transport
sperm transfer and function in female reproductive tract

Question 19

What can semen analysis not predict

Answer 19

female factors of infertility as such it cannot predict fertility
results must be use in conjunction with other investigations

Question 20

what is leucospermia and what does it indicate

Answer 20

white blood cells present in semen

indicates infection

Question 21

what is a normal pH of sperm

Answer 21

should be a little alkaline
Ph 7.2-7.8
acidic semen indicates a problem with the seminal vesicles as these are the glands that produce alkaline fluid

Question 22

What happens to sperm in the absence of sexual activity

Answer 22

it accumulates in the epidydmis

can overflow into urethra and be ‘washed out’

Question 23

What is meant by liquifaction

Answer 23

when semen is first produce it is a semi solid coagulated mass
however when left at room temperature it will begin to ‘liquefy’ initially it will be a heterogenous solution with more solid lumps in it but it will eventually become a homogenous watery solution
this should happen within 1 hour of production to be deemed ‘normal’ however it typically only takes aroun 15 minute