Measuring Sperm

Question 1

Measuring Sperm

Answer 1

•A number of variables may be evaluated through analysis of semen

•These may correlate with fertility with varying degrees; some evidence is controversial

•Specimen is obtained by masturbation, collected in a clean container – (condoms often contain spermicide)

spermicide destroys sperm.

-The WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen standardise how this process are being handled.

Question 2

Volume of sperm

Answer 2

• Normal ejaculated volume is 1.5 – 6 ml
• Volume may be low in retrograde ejaculation, high volume may reflect abstinence or accessory gland inflammation.
• 1.5 ml is the cut off given by (WHO 2010)

-Retrograde ejaculation occurs when semen enters the bladder instead of emerging through the penis during orgasm. Although you still reach sexual climax, you might ejaculate very little or no semen. This is sometimes called a dry orgasm. Retrograde ejaculation isn’t harmful, but it can cause male infertility. Prostate gland surgery or bladder surgery is the most common cause of retrograde ejaculation.

Question 3

Concentration and vitality of sperm

Answer 3

1. Sperm concentration, or density, defined as the number of sperm per ml in the total ejaculate

-Normal is over 15 million per ml

2. Vitality: 58% or more live spermatozoa

Question 4

Sperm Motility

Answer 4

•Defined as percentage of progressively motile sperm in the ejaculate

•Progressively motile means they go somewhere, rather than swim around in circles

• WHO uses 32% as the cut off for the lower limit of normal for progressive motility
• Variation in repeat samples from individuals and poor correlation with fertility

Question 5

Sperm Morphology

Answer 5

•Visual assessment of sperm

• Greater than 4% normal forms is acceptable (WHO 2010)
• Other more stringent criteria exist

Question 6

Nomenclature

Answer 6

Question 7

Which of those is anticipated here?

Answer 7

• Here is a testis with an abnormal appearance and this is the seminiferous tubule.
• This seminiferous tubule. contains only Sertoli cells and none of the spermatogenic cells
• This is Azoospermia- No spermatozoa in the ejaculate.

Question 8

A semen sample which has been stained

Answer 8

You can also the tails of the individual spermatozoa very subtle tho.

Question 9

Biopsy of a testis under the microscope

Answer 9

Answer 10

-You can see the Leydig cells surrounding the seminiferous tubules but it is more sparse because there is a little bit of oedema fluid surrounding the outside of the seminiferous tubule and this also might be caused by the process of taking the biopsy.

Question 11

Vas deferens

Answer 11