semen

Question 1

Maturation of spermatozoa takes place in the:
A. Sertoli cells
B. Seminiferous tubules
C. Epididymis
D. Seminal vesicles

Answer 1

Epididymis

Question 2

Enzymes for the coagulation and liquefaction of semen are produced by the:
A. Seminal vesicles
B. Bulbourethral glands
C. Ductus deferens
D. Prostate gland

Answer 2

Prostate gland

Question 3

The major component of seminal fluid is:
A. Glucose
B. Fructose
C. Acid phosphatase
D. Citric acid

Answer 3

B. Fructose

Question 4

If the first portion of a semen specimen is not collected, the semen analysis will have which of the following?
A. Decreased pH
B. Increased viscosity
C. Decreased sperm count
D. Decreased sperm motility

Answer 4

C. Decreased sperm count

Question 5

5. Failure of laboratory personnel to document the time a seen specimen is collected primarily affects the interpre-
   A. Appearance
   B. Volume
   C. pH
   D. Viscosity

Answer 5

Viscosity

Question 6

Liquefaction of a semen specimen should take place within:
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 3 hours
D. 4 hours

Answer 6

A. 1 hour

Question 7

7. A semen specimen delivered to the laboratory in a condom has a normal sperm count and markedly decreased sperm motility. This indicates:
   A. Decreased fructose
   B. Antispermicide in the condom
   C. Increased semen viscosity
   D. Increased semen alkalinity

Answer 7

B. Antispermicide in the condom

Question 8

An increased semen pH may be caused by:
A. Poorly developed seminal vesicles
B. Increased prostatic secretions
C. Obstruction of the ejaculation duct
D. Prostatic infection

Answer 8

D. Prostatic infection

Question 9

9. Proteolytic enzymes may be added to semen specimens to:
   A. Increase the viscosity
   B. Dilute the specimen
   C. Decrease the viscosity
   D. Neutralize the specimen

Answer 9

C. Decrease the viscosity

Question 10

10. The normal sperm concentration is:
    A. Less than 20 million/uL
    B. More than 20 million/mL
    C. Less than 20 million/mL
    D. More than 20 million/uL

Answer 10

B. More than 20 million/mL

Question 11

11. Given the following information, calculate the sperm concentration: dilution, 1:20; sperm counted in five RBC squares on each side of the hemocytometer, 80 and 86; volume, 3 mL.
    A. 80 million/mL
    B. 83 million/mL
    C. 86 million/mL
    D. 169 million/uL

Answer 11

B. 83 million/mL

Question 12

12. Using the information from question 11, calculate the sperm concentration when 80 sperm are counted in
    1 WBC square and 86 sperm are counted in another
    WBC square.
    A. 83 million/mL
    B. 166 million per ejaculate
    C. 16.6 million/mL
    D. 50 million per ejaculate

Answer 12

C. 16.6 million/mL

Question 13

13. The primary reson to dinea semen specimen before
    A. Immobilize the sperm
    B. Facilitate the chamber count
    C. Decrease the viscosity
    D. Stain the sperm

Answer 13

A. Immobilize the sperm

Question 14

When performing a sperm concentration, 60 sperm are counted in the RBC squares on one side of the hemocytometer and 90 sperm are counted in the RBC squares on the other side. The specimen is diluted 1:20. The:
A. Specimen should be rediluted and counted
B. Sperm count is 75 million/mL
C. Sperm count is greater than 5 million/mL
D. Sperm concentration is abnormal

Answer 14

A. Specimen should be rediluted and counted

Question 15

15. Sperm motility evaluations are performed:
    A. Immediately after the specimen is collected
    B. Within 1 hour of collection
    C. After 3 hours of incubation
    D. At 6-hour intervals for 1 day

Answer 15

B. Within 1 hour of collection

Question 16

16. The percentage of sperm showing average motility that is considered normal is:
    A. 25%
    B. 50%
    C. 60%
    D. 75%

Answer 16

B. 50%

Question 17

17. The purpose of the acrosomal cap is to:
    A. Penetrate the ovum
    B. Protect the nucleus
    C. Create energy for tail movement
    D. Protect the neckpiece

Answer 17

A. Penetrate the ovum

Question 18

18. The sperm part containing a mitochondrial sheath is the:
    A. Head
    B. Neckpiece
    C. Midpiece
    D. Tail

Answer 18

C. Midpiece

Question 19

19. All of the following are associated with sperm motility except the:
    A. Head
    B. Neckpiece
    C. Midpiece
    D. Tail

Answer 19

A. Head

Question 20

20. The morphological shape of a normal sperm head is:
    A. Round
    B. Tapered
    C. Oval
    D. Amorphous

Answer 20

C. Oval

Question 21

21. Noreral sperm morphology when using the WHO
    A. >30% normal forms
    B. <30% normal forms
    C. >15% abnormal forms
    D. <15% normal forms

Answer 21

A. >30% normal forms

Question 22

22. Additional parameters measured by Krugers strict morphology include all of the following except:
    A. Vitality
    B. Presence of vacuoles
    C. Acrosome size
    D. Tail length

Answer 22

A. Vitality

Question 23

23. Round cell an er oney and may be included in
    A. Leukocytes
    B. Spermatids
    C. RBCS
    D. Both A and B

Answer 23

D. Both A and B

Question 24

If 5 round cells per 100 sperm are counted in a sperm
morphology smear and the sperm concentration is
30 million, the concentration of round cells is:
A. 150,000
B. 1.5 million
C. 300,000
D. 15 million

Answer 24

B. 1.5 million

Question 25

After an abnormal sperm motility test with a normal sperm count, what additional test might be ordered? A. Fructose level B. Zinc level C. MAR test D. Eosin–nigrosin stain

Answer 25

D. Eosin-nigrosin stain

Question 26

Follow-up testing for a low sperm concentration would include testing for: A. Antisperm antibodies B. Seminal fluid fructose C. Sperm vitality D. Prostatic acid phosphatas

Answer 26

B. Seminal fluid fructose

Question 27

The immunobead test for antisperm antibodies: A. Detects the presence of male antibodies B. Determines the presence of IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies C. Determines the location of antisperm antibodies D. All of the above

Answer 27

D. All of the above

Question 28

Measurement of o-glucosidase is performed to detect a disorder of the: A. Seminiferous tubules B. Epididymis C. Prostate gland D. Bulbourethral glands

Answer 28

B. Epididymis

Question 29

29. A specimen delivered to the laboratory with a request for prostatic acid phosphatase and glycoprotein p30 was collected to determine: A. Prostatic infection B. Presence of antisperm antibodies C. A possible rape D. Successful vasectomy

Answer 29

C. A possible rape

Question 30

After a negative postvasectomy wet preparation, the specimen should be: A. Centrifuged and reexamined B. Stained and reexamined C. Reported as no sperm seen D. Both A and B

Answer 30

A. Centrifuged and reexamined

Question 31

31. Standardization of procedures and reference values for semen analysis is provided primarily by the: A. Manufacturers of instrumentation B. WHO C. Manufacturers of control samples D. Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments

Answer 31

B. WHO

Question 32

A repeat semen analysis for fertility testing is reported as follows: VOLUME: 3.5 mL VISCOSITY: Normal SPERM COUNT: 6 million/mL SPERM MOTILITY: 30%— grade 1.0 pH: 7.5 MORPHOLOGY: <30% normal forms-30 spermatids/ 100 sperm The results correspond with the first analysis. a. List three abnormal parameters.

Question 33

A repeat semen analysis for fertility testing is reported as follows: VOLUME: 3.5 mL VISCOSITY: Normal SPERM COUNT: 6 million/mL SPERM MOTILITY: 30%— grade 1.0 pH: 7.5 MORPHOLOGY: <30% normal forms-30 spermatids/ 100 sperm The results correspond with the first analysis. a. List three abnormal parameters.

Answer 33

Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology.

Question 34

A repeat semen analysis for fertility testing is reported as follows: VOLUME: 3.5 mL VISCOSITY: Normal SPERM COUNT: 6 million/mL SPERM MOTILITY: 30%— grade 1.0 pH: 7.5 MORPHOLOGY: <30% normal forms-30 spermatids/ 100 sperm The results correspond with the first analysis. b. What is the sperm concentration? Is this normal?

Answer 34

21,000,000; no.

Question 35

A repeat semen analysis for fertility testing is reported as follows: VOLUME: 3.5 mL VISCOSITY: Normal SPERM COUNT: 6 million/mL SPERM MOTILITY: 30%— grade 1.0 pH: 7.5 MORPHOLOGY: <30% normal forms-30 spermatids/ 100 sperm The results correspond with the first analysis. c. What is the spermatid count? Is this normal?

Answer 35

1,800,000; no.

Question 36

A repeat semen analysis for fertility testing is reported as follows: VOLUME: 3.5 mL VISCOSITY: Normal SPERM COUNT: 6 million/mL SPERM MOTILITY: 30%— grade 1.0 pH: 7.5 MORPHOLOGY: <30% normal forms-30 spermatids/ 100 sperm The results correspond with the first analysis. d. Could the sperm concentration and the spermatid count be related to the infertility? Explain your answer

Answer 36

Yes. The normal sperm concentration is 20 to 60 million/mL. Spermatid counts over 1 million are considered abnormal. Both of these abnormal results, as well as the abnormal motility, are related to defects in sperm maturation.

Question 37

A semen analysis on a vasovasostomy patient has a normal sperm concentration; however, motility is decreased, and clumping is observed on the wet preparation. a. Explain the possible connection between these observations and the patients recent surgery. b. What tests could be performed to further evaluate the patient's infertility? c. Briefly explain the different interpretations offered by these two tests. d. State three ways in which a positive result on these tests could be affecting male fertility.

Answer 37

a. Male antisperm antibodies may form after vasovasostomy procedures. b. The MAR test and the immunobead test. c. The MAR test detects the presence of IgG male sperm antibodies. The immunobead test delineates the areas of the sperm (head, tail, neck) that are affected by the antibodies. d. Clumping, ovum penetration, and motility.

Question 38

A yellow-colored semen specimen is received in the labo-ratory. The analysis is normal except for decreased sperm motility. Explain the possible connection between the two abnormal findings.

Answer 38

The specimen contains urine, which is toxic to sperm, therefore decreasing viability.

Question 39

Abnormal results of a semen analysis are volume = 1.0 ml. and sperm concentration = 1 million/ml. State a non- pathological cause of these abnormal results.

Answer 39

The specimen was collected improperly, and the first part of the ejaculation was lost

Question 40

A semen specimen with normal initial appearance fails to liquefy after 60 minutes. a. Woedato imhy ofor go be consistent with this b. State the chemical less that would be of value in c. How does this abnormality affect fertility?

Answer 40

a. Yes, insufficient prostatic fluid is present. b. Zinc, citrate, and acid phosphatase. c. Sperm motility is affected severely.

Question 41

A specimen is delivered to the laboratory with a request to determine whether semen is present. a. What two chemical tests could be performed on the specimen? b. What additional examination could be performed on the specimen?

Answer 41

a. Acid phosphatase and seminal glycoprotein p30 tests. b. Microscopic examination for the presence of sperm.