Seminal Fluid o Spermatocytogenesis is a two-step phase
wherein spermatogonia undergo mitotic
Seminal fluid, as a body fluid produced by the male
division and maturation into spermatocytes.
reproductive organs, has been the focus of study for couples
o Meiosis occurs when spermatocytes divide
with concerns on fertility. Advancement in the field of
into haploid gamete cells.
andrology is the advent of increased emphasis on semen
o Spermiogenesis is when the gamete cell
analysis.
develops into a spermatid. Further on, the
spermatid cells acquire flagella and
transforms into spermatozoa.
WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR ANALYZING SEMINAL
FLUID? Semen consists of fluids from four reproductive organs. The
following organs are responsible for the formation and
Fertility testing – most common form of infertility in men is composition of seminal fluid.
due to varicocele. Three samples are collected not less than 7
days or more than 3 weeks apart. Two abnormal results out of o Testes – contributes spermatozoa (5% of
three seminal samples are significant. semen)
Post-vasectomy analysis o Seminal vesicles – contributes seminal fluid
which is rich in fructose and flavin for sperm
Forensic analysis for suspected rape cases motility (60-70% of semen)
o Prostate gland – contributes prostatic fluid
which is acidic due to acid phosphatise, citric
LESSON 1- PHYSIOLOGY OF SEMEN
acid, zinc and proteolytic enzymes. These are
PHYSIOLOGY OF SEMEN needed for the coagulation and liquefaction
of semen. (20-30% of semen)
Spermatogenesis is the term used to define the formation of o Bulbourethral gland – provides alkaline
spermatozoa. It starts in the Sertoli cells of seminiferous mucus to neutralize prostatic secretions and
tubules of the testes. Further development occurs in the vaginal fluid (5% of semen)
epididymis. The immature sperm cell then undergoes 90-day
process involving three phases: spermatocytogenesis, meiosis
and spermiogenesis.
, LESSON 2- SEMEN COLLECTION AND HANDLING
SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND HANDLING LIQUEFACTION TIME OF SEMINAL FLUID
o Semen is collected after a period of Fresh specimen is coagulated but undergoes liquefaction
abstinence of at least 2 days but not more within 30-60 minutes of collection. If coagulation did not
than 7 days through masturbation. occur, this should be reported as this could signify azospermia
o Collect in sterile glass or plastic container. as a result of bilateral absence of vas deferens and seminal
o If the said collection procedure is not vesicles.
possible, semen is collected through a non- Failure of liquefaction within 60 minutes may be caused by a
lubricant containing rubber or polyurethane deficiency of prostatic enzymes. If after 2 hours and the semen
condom. Ordinary condoms contain has not liquefied yet, an equal volume of liquefying substance
spermicidal contents. must be added to induce liquefaction. These substances
o Semen samples collected with abstinence of include proteolytic enzymes (alpha-chymotrpysin or
more than 7 days have higher volumes which bromelain) or Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline.
impedes sperm motility.
o Always keep the seminal fluid at 37 OC.
LESSON 3- PHYSICAL ANALYSIS OF SEMEN PHYSICAL APPERANCE OF SEMINAL FLUID
PHYSICAL ANALYSIS OF SEMEN Semen is opaque and can exhibit several colors ranging from
gray to white to light yellow. The higher the flavin content, the
Shortly after ejaculation, semen coagulates because of the darker the color yellow may be. Other colors and
action of clotting enzyme secreted in the prostatic fluid. These corresponding clinical significance are as follows:
enzyme acts on the fibrinogen-like precursor substance that is
produced by the seminal vesicles. After 30-60 minutes, the o Tinge of red or brown – presence of RBCs
semen starts to liquefy thus physical analysis of the said fluid o Increased white turbidity – possible infection,
could be performed. presence of WBCs
o Dark yellow – contamination of urine, highly
o Liquefaction time pigmented medications, prolonged sexual
o Appearance abstinence
o Viscosity
o Volume VOLUME OF SEMINAL FLUID
o pH
wherein spermatogonia undergo mitotic
Seminal fluid, as a body fluid produced by the male
division and maturation into spermatocytes.
reproductive organs, has been the focus of study for couples
o Meiosis occurs when spermatocytes divide
with concerns on fertility. Advancement in the field of
into haploid gamete cells.
andrology is the advent of increased emphasis on semen
o Spermiogenesis is when the gamete cell
analysis.
develops into a spermatid. Further on, the
spermatid cells acquire flagella and
transforms into spermatozoa.
WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR ANALYZING SEMINAL
FLUID? Semen consists of fluids from four reproductive organs. The
following organs are responsible for the formation and
Fertility testing – most common form of infertility in men is composition of seminal fluid.
due to varicocele. Three samples are collected not less than 7
days or more than 3 weeks apart. Two abnormal results out of o Testes – contributes spermatozoa (5% of
three seminal samples are significant. semen)
Post-vasectomy analysis o Seminal vesicles – contributes seminal fluid
which is rich in fructose and flavin for sperm
Forensic analysis for suspected rape cases motility (60-70% of semen)
o Prostate gland – contributes prostatic fluid
which is acidic due to acid phosphatise, citric
LESSON 1- PHYSIOLOGY OF SEMEN
acid, zinc and proteolytic enzymes. These are
PHYSIOLOGY OF SEMEN needed for the coagulation and liquefaction
of semen. (20-30% of semen)
Spermatogenesis is the term used to define the formation of o Bulbourethral gland – provides alkaline
spermatozoa. It starts in the Sertoli cells of seminiferous mucus to neutralize prostatic secretions and
tubules of the testes. Further development occurs in the vaginal fluid (5% of semen)
epididymis. The immature sperm cell then undergoes 90-day
process involving three phases: spermatocytogenesis, meiosis
and spermiogenesis.
, LESSON 2- SEMEN COLLECTION AND HANDLING
SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND HANDLING LIQUEFACTION TIME OF SEMINAL FLUID
o Semen is collected after a period of Fresh specimen is coagulated but undergoes liquefaction
abstinence of at least 2 days but not more within 30-60 minutes of collection. If coagulation did not
than 7 days through masturbation. occur, this should be reported as this could signify azospermia
o Collect in sterile glass or plastic container. as a result of bilateral absence of vas deferens and seminal
o If the said collection procedure is not vesicles.
possible, semen is collected through a non- Failure of liquefaction within 60 minutes may be caused by a
lubricant containing rubber or polyurethane deficiency of prostatic enzymes. If after 2 hours and the semen
condom. Ordinary condoms contain has not liquefied yet, an equal volume of liquefying substance
spermicidal contents. must be added to induce liquefaction. These substances
o Semen samples collected with abstinence of include proteolytic enzymes (alpha-chymotrpysin or
more than 7 days have higher volumes which bromelain) or Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline.
impedes sperm motility.
o Always keep the seminal fluid at 37 OC.
LESSON 3- PHYSICAL ANALYSIS OF SEMEN PHYSICAL APPERANCE OF SEMINAL FLUID
PHYSICAL ANALYSIS OF SEMEN Semen is opaque and can exhibit several colors ranging from
gray to white to light yellow. The higher the flavin content, the
Shortly after ejaculation, semen coagulates because of the darker the color yellow may be. Other colors and
action of clotting enzyme secreted in the prostatic fluid. These corresponding clinical significance are as follows:
enzyme acts on the fibrinogen-like precursor substance that is
produced by the seminal vesicles. After 30-60 minutes, the o Tinge of red or brown – presence of RBCs
semen starts to liquefy thus physical analysis of the said fluid o Increased white turbidity – possible infection,
could be performed. presence of WBCs
o Dark yellow – contamination of urine, highly
o Liquefaction time pigmented medications, prolonged sexual
o Appearance abstinence
o Viscosity
o Volume VOLUME OF SEMINAL FLUID
o pH
