Semen Analysis (Online CE Course)

(based on 479 customer ratings)

Author: Judy Stern, PhD
Reviewer: Barbara Cebulski, MS, MLS(ASCP)

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This course details all the steps that are necessary to ensure an accurate sperm count. Many illustrations and descriptions are provided to acquaint you with normal and abnormal morphology. This course is an excellent source of continuing education for medical technologists and technicians. It is also appropriate for training laboratory personnel, cross training, and clinical laboratory science students.

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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1.5 hour(s)
Approved through 7/31/2024
Approved through 7/31/2024

Objectives

  • Identify the preanalytic procedures that must be followed to ensure reliable semen analysis results.
  • List the requirements for collection, transport, and accession of a specimen for semen analysis.
  • Identify the characteristics of semen that should be noted during the macroscopic examination of the sample.
  • Explain how to perform a sperm count.
  • Discuss the method for determining and reporting sperm motility according to the current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
  • Identify sperm morphologies according to current WHO guidelines.

Customer Ratings

(based on 479 customer ratings)

Course Outline

Click on the links below to preview selected pages from this course.
  • Introduction to Semen Analysis
      • Composition of Semen
      • Purpose of Semen Analysis
      • Limits of Semen Analysis
      • Safety Precautions
      • Which of the following statements regarding semen analysis are TRUE?
  • Specimen Collection, Transportation, and Accessioning
      • Specimen Identification
      • Collection
      • Collection, continued
      • Documenting Collection Information
      • Condoms are a good way to collect semen specimens for fertility analyses.
      • Which of the following statements are TRUE for semen specimen collection and transport?
  • Macroscopic Examination of Semen
      • Beginning the Analysis
      • Liquefaction
      • Appearance of Semen
      • Volume
      • Viscosity
      • pH
      • Which of the following represents the lower reference limit for semen volume?
      • Liquefaction of a semen specimen always occurs immediately after ejaculation.
      • Which of the following statements is true regarding the normal viscosity of semen?
  • Initial Microscopic Examination and Assessment of Sperm Motility
  • Sperm Count
      • Sperm Concentration and Sperm Count
      • Sperm Counting Methods
      • Improved Neubauer Hemocytometer
      • Diluting a Specimen for Counting on a Hemocytometer
      • Loading the Hemocytometer and Performing the Count
      • Criteria for Sperm Counts Using a Hemocytometer
      • Other Counting Chambers
      • Assessment of Post-Vasectomy and Azoospermic Specimens
      • What is the recommended MINIMUM number of spermatozoa that should be counted on each side of the hemocytometer when a manual sperm count is performed ...
      • A sperm concentration of 25 x 106 spermatozoa/ mL would be considered an abnormally low concentration, according to the WHO 5th edition.
  • Non-Sperm Cells in Semen
      • Other Cells in Semen: Epithelial cells
      • Other Cells in Semen: Round Cells and Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
      • Other Cells in Semen: Round Cells and RBCs, continued
      • Round Cells in Semen
      • "Round cells" in a semen sample refer collectively to which of the following types of cells?
      • The image represents a microscopic field from a wet mount of a semen sample (100X magnification). Round cells are present in this microscopic field.
  • Morphology of Sperm
      • Morphology of Sperm
      • Preparing Semen Smears for Evaluation of Sperm Morphology
      • Evaluating Sperm Morphology
      • Abnormal Forms
      • Abnormal Heads
      • Abnormal Tails
      • Normal Head Shape
      • Sperm with Enlarged Head and Split Tail
      • Double-Headed Sperm
      • Pinhead
      • Two Abnormalities
      • Tapered Head
      • Constricted Head
      • The sperm indicated by the arrow on this slide is normal.
      • Why would this sperm be classified as abnormal?
      • The sperm indicated by the arrow is abnormal.
  • Reference Values and Course References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic

Intended Audience: Clinical laboratory science students, and medical technologists and technicians seeking review, cross training, or continuing education opportunities. It is also appropriate for medical students and pathology residents.

Author information: Judy Stern, PhD is a Professor of Pathology, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Director, Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.  Dr. Stern holds a PhD from the University of Tennessee. She has authored and co-authored multiple publications in the field of Reproductive Technology.

Reviewer information: Barbara Cebulski, MS, MLS(ASCP) has over 40 years of experience in the medical laboratory profession as a technologist, section supervisor, and laboratory manager. She was an Inspection and Technical Specialist for nine years with the College of American Pathologists in the Laboratory Accreditation Program and, until her retirement in 2015, was Program Director for MediaLab, Inc. Barbara holds a Masters in Instructional Technology from Georgia State University.

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 176 CE courses, most popular
$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours
$55Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote
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