CAP Pro Course - Urinalysis - Semen Analysis

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Author: Jerelyn Walters, MLS(ASCP)SH
Reviewer: Margaret Reinhart, MS, MLS(ASCP)

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Identify preanalytic considerations that will ensure an optimal specimen for analysis.
  • Identify the characteristics of semen that should be noted and documented during the macroscopic examination of the sample.
  • Identify the characteristics of semen that should be noted and documented during the initial microscopic examination of the sample.
  • Explain the techniques necessary to perform an accurate manual sperm concentration and count.
  • Identify normal and abnormal spermatozoa and other elements that may be observed on the stained slide.

Course Outline

  • Identify preanalytic considerations that will ensure an optimal specimen for analysis.
      • Physiology of Semen Production and Semen Composition
      • Collection and Transport of Specimens for Semen Analysis
      • Specimen Collection Information
      • Failure to include the first part of the ejaculate in specimen collection can result in which of the following?
      • A patient delivered a semen sample to the laboratory. The medical laboratory technician immediately rejected the sample. Which sample collection scena...
  • Identify the characteristics of semen that should be noted and documented during the macroscopic examination of the sample.
      • Semen Viscosity and Liquefaction
      • Semen Color, Appearance, pH, and Volume
      • Lisa is a newly graduated medical laboratory scientist who has just completed her training/orientation at a medical center laboratory. While on her sh...
      • A sample received in the laboratory is not liquefying properly after 60 minutes of sitting at room temperature. The medical laboratory scientist will ...
  • Identify the characteristics of semen that should be noted and documented during the initial microscopic examination of the sample.
      • Initial Microscopic Examination of Semen Specimens
      • Initial Microscopic Examination of Semen Specimens, continued
      • Sperm Motility
      • Sperm Motility, continued
      • Replication and Verification of Sperm Motility Assessment
      • Progressive Motility (Video Profile)
      • Non-Progressive Motility (Video Profile)
      • Immotile Spermatozoa (Video Profile)
      • Sperm Viability
      • Lisa, a newly hired and trained medical laboratory scientist, stained a semen sample with an eosin-nigrosin stain to observe for sperm viability. Upon...
      • Which tests are recommended if a low percent motility is noted?
  • Explain the techniques necessary to perform an accurate manual sperm concentration and count.
      • Sperm Count and Concentration
      • Sperm Count and Concentration, continued
      • Sperm Count and Concentration, continued
      • Azoospermia, Cryptozoospermia, and Post-Vasectomy Semen Specimens
      • Round Cells
      • What does an increase in spermatids indicate?
      • What term is defined as the number of sperm/mL in a sample?
  • Identify normal and abnormal spermatozoa and other elements that may be observed on the stained slide.
      • Assessing Sperm Morphology
      • Assessing Sperm Morphology, continued
      • Assessing Sperm Morphology, continued
      • Examples of Abnormal Sperm Morphology
      • Leukocytes and Spermatids (Round Cells)
      • What test can be used to differentiate granulocytes from spermatids?
      • Which of the following depicts a sperm with a pinhead?
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction:  Intermediate
Intended Audience:  This program is suitable as an educational tool for medical laboratory science students and interns and all MLS and MLT personnel.
Author Information:  Jerelyn Walters, MLS(ASCP)SH is the technical supervisor of esoteric testing for ACL Laboratories, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has written numerous hematology-related articles for several laboratory publications. Jerelyn is a frequent speaker at seminars and educational workshops. She holds a Specialist in Hematology certification from ASCP. 
Reviewer Information:  Margaret Reinhart, MS, MT(ASCP) is a Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia PA where she teaches hematology, clinical immunology, parasitology, and other related courses. She was the MLS Program Director there for 30 years. She is also an adjunct instructor in Hematology at Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia PA. She holds a Masters Degree in Biology and in Health Care Administration.

This course is part of the CAP Competency Assessment Hub.

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