This document discusses sperm count, motility, and morphology, which are key factors evaluated in a semen analysis. A normal sperm count ranges from 20-160 million sperm per milliliter. Motility is evaluated by examining the percentage of actively moving sperm, which should be at least 50-60% for a normal sample. Morphology refers to the shape of sperm, with abnormal forms including misshapen heads and coiled tails. A specimen with less than 30% abnormal forms is considered normal. The document also provides normal reference values for other semen parameters like volume, pH, and viscosity.
2. 2
SPERM COUNT
- Fertilization is accomplished by one
spermatozoa.
- Normal values are commonly listed as 20 to160
million sperm per milliliter, with counts between
10 and 20 million per milliliter considered
borderline.
3. 3
SPERM COUNT
- The sperm count is performed in the same
manner as blood and CSF counts; that is by
diluting the specimen and counting the cells in a
Neubauer chamber.
- The amount of the dilution and the number of
squares counted vary among laboratories.
4. 4
Two frequently used methods dilute the specimen 1:20 and count the sperm
in either the five RBC squares or in two large WBC squares.
5. 5
SPERM COUNT
- When the five RBC squares are used, the
number of sperm counted is multiplied by
1,000,000 to calculate the number of sperm per
milliliter.
- If the two WBC squares are used, the count is
multiplied by 100,000 to achieve the same
result.
7. 7
SPERM COUNT
- The traditional diluting fluid contains sodium
bicarbonate and formalin, which immobilize and
preserve the cells, good results can also be
achieved using tap water.
8. 8
Motility
- Laboratory evaluation of sperm motility is
performed by examining the undiluted specimen
microscopically and determining the percentage
of sperm showing active motility.
9. 9
Motility
- Approximately 25 high-power field should be
examined.
- A minimum motility of 50-60 percent with a quality
of fair (2.0) is considered normal for specimens
tested within the 3-hour time period.
10. 10
Morphology
- The presence of a normal number of sperm that
are non-motile will produce infertility, and the
presence of sperm that are morphologically
incapable of fertilization also will result in
infertility.
11. 11
Morphology
- Sperm morphology is evaluated with respect to
both head and tail appearance.
- The normal sperm has an oval head measuring
approximately 3 x 5 袖m and a long tapring tail.
12. 12
Morphology
- Abnormality in head structures are associated
with poor ovum penetration and include double
heads, giant and morphous heads, pin heads,
tapering heads, and constricted heads.
14. 14
Morphology
- Motility is impeded in sperm with double or coiled
tails.
- Immature sperm (spermatids) also may be
present and must be differentiated from white
blood cells.
- They are more spherical than mature sperm and
may or may not have tails.
15. 15
Morphology
- Sperm morphology should be reported from a
stained specimen examined under oil
immersion, the recommended stain is the
Papanicolaou, and if this is not available
acceptable results can be obtained by using
hematoxylin, crystal violet, or Giemsa stains.
16. 16
Morphology
- A specimen that contains less than 30 percent
abnormal forms is considered normal.
- Additional tests may be requested, the most
common are tests for sperm viability, seminal
fluid fructose level, and sperm agglutinins.
17. 17
Morphology
- Viability is tested by mixing the specimen with an
eosin-nigrosin stain and examining
microscopically for dead cells that stain red
against a purple background.
- Living cells are not infiltrated by the eosin dye
and remain a bluish-white color.
18. 18
Morphology
- It is not common to find viable sperm in a
postvasectomy patient, and care should be
taken to overlook even a single sperm.
- Specimens are routinely tested at monthly
intervals beginning at 2 months postvasectomy
and continuing until 2 consecutive monthly
specimens show no spermatozoa.
19. 19
Normal values for Semen Analysis
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Volume 2-5 ml
Viscosity Pours in droplets
pH 7.3-7.8
Count 20-160 million/ml
Motility > 50-60% within 3 hours
Quality > 2.0 of fair
Morphology < 30% Abnormal forms
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