University:
Western Sydney University
Course:
MEDI 2003 | Clinical Sciences 2
Academic year:

2024
Views:

242

Pages:

1
Author:

Mariam A. A.

Seminal Fluid • Analysis: - male refrains from ejaculation for 2-3 days and a specimen is collected by masturbation into a sterile cup. sample undergoes liquefaction (thinning of seminal fluid) total motile sperm count correlates with fertility, not all males with “normal” sperm parameters display normal fertility. An acidic pH or lack of fructose is consistent with obstruction of the efferent ductal system. ✓ Semen volume: may be due to incomplete collection or short abstinence interval. It may also indicate partial obstruction of the vas deferens or retrograde ejaculation (following failure of bladder neck to close). RE is more likely in DM, SCI or history or prostate surgery. Medications e.g. β blockers can contribute. A postejaculatory urinalysis can confirm RE. ✓ Sperm count: may have normal, oligospermia (<20 million/mL) or azoospermia. Azoospermia may be due to obstruction in the outflow tract (obstructive azo) which occurs in the absence of a vas deferens or in severe infection. Azoospermia may also follow testicular failure. Careful centrifugation may obtain enough motile sperm to use for IVF. ✓ Sperm motility: decreased motility = asthenospermia. Graded as rapid (3-4), slow (2) and non-progressive (0-1) movement. It is attributed to prolonged abstinence, antispam antibodies, genital tract infections or varicocele. The live sperm may be used in IVF ✓ Sperm morphology: abnormal = teratospermia. The criteria look @ shape + size of the sperm head, relative size of the acrosome in proportion to the head, plus characteristics of the tail e.g., length, coiling or the presence of 2 tails. ✓ Anti- sperm antibodies: may be more prevalent following vasectomy, testicular torsion, testicular biopsy, or other causes of breach of BT barrier. IgG and IgA bound to the sperm head or midpiece is thought to reduce fertilising capacity.