Laboratory manual for the examination of human semen and semen-cervical mucus interaction.

This laboratory manual consists of 2 sections which describe methods of examination of human semen and semen-cervical mucus interaction in order to standardize procedures and facilitate evaluation and comparison of research reports. The section on semen collection and examination discusses and makes recommendations for sample collection and delivery; initial examination; motility assessment estimation of sperm density; examination of particulate debris; agglutination; sperm viability; counting the spermatozoa; and analysis of morphological characteristics of germinal cells including preparation of seminal fluid smears staining method and classification and quantification of germinal cells and leucocytes. Photomicrographs are provided to demonstrate morphological characteristics of normal and abnormal mature sperm immature germinal cells and leucocytes and epithelial cells. Appendices provide information on frequency of various sperm forms in a normal ejaculate Papanicolaou staining procedure for sperm and the Bryan/Leishman stain for seminal fluid morphology smears. A sample record for sperm analysis is also included. The section on sperm-cervical mucus interaction describes the composition and characteristics of the mucus the collection procedure storage and preservation and evaluation including pH. Methods of evaluating sperm-cervical mucus interaction are then described. The timing and techniques of the post-coital test vaginal pool sample exocervical and low cervical samples and endocervical samples and their interpretation are discussed. Instructions are provided for in vitro studies including the capillary tube test and the slide technique.