Thursday, January 13, 2011

Fun-a-day 13: Sperm Count


I hope I don't offend anyone with this post.  It's truly not my intent, but after doing the fetal hemoglobin block, it's only natural to do a sperm block count next!  So here it is!  Actually a sperm count is only part of a "semen analysis" test.  We also look at the motility (as a percentage) at different times after collection, volume, sperm morphology, and a few other factors.  If infection is present, we certainly note that as well.  When a couple is having problems becoming pregnant, it's usually the first test that a doctor orders, as it is an easy and noninvasive sample to obtain.  Yes, it's embarrassing, but also the rich source of much comedic humor!  It is also usually ordered after a vascectomy, and yes, I have seen sperm in a post-vascectomy sample, but only once that I can think of in my dozen or so years as a med tech.

When we look at the slide, we once again do a wet-prep, so there are no pretty colors, but I just couldn't help but make mine pink and blue, because it is, after all, the sperm that determine if a baby is a boy or girl.  We do the exam on low power, so they look very tiny.  I made mine a bit bigger than what we normally see.  It never ceased to amaze me just how many there are in such a tiny drop (many millions per milliliter).  On a slide, they have no clear "aim", so they swim in all different directions. Once again they really are a wonder to look at under the microscope!

4 comments:

monika@mysweetprairie.ca said...

Becky, that is priceless! Very sweet piece you made. Love the pinks and blues. laughing, Monika

Lee said...

This is definitely a first. You might just have the only quilted sperm on the internet. : )

Beth@IHaveANotion.com said...

Of course... you have to show this... too.

Becky said...

Thanks ladies! Love that I made you all laugh and smile! And yes, Beth, it's obvious to me, but I was a bit concerned how it would be received. So far so good :-).