Question 1

What is the Meaning of Sperm Viability?

Accepted Answer

Sperm viability refers to the physiological integrity of the sperm cell membrane, indicating whether a spermatozoon is alive and capable of metabolic activity, distinct from its ability to move.

Question 2

What is the Context of Sperm Viability?

Accepted Answer

Within the male reproductive system, sperm viability is a fundamental characteristic influencing the potential for fertilization and successful conception. Spermatozoa must maintain cellular integrity as they transit through the male and female reproductive tracts to effectively reach and fertilize an oocyte.

Question 3

What is the Significance of Sperm Viability?

Accepted Answer

Assessing sperm viability is crucial in diagnosing male factor infertility, particularly when a significant proportion of spermatozoa exhibit immotility. This assessment helps distinguish between non-motile but viable sperm, which may still be utilized in assisted reproductive technologies, and non-viable, dead sperm, which cannot contribute to the fertilization process.

Question 4

What is the Mechanism of Sperm Viability?

Accepted Answer

Sperm viability primarily depends on the intactness of the plasma membrane, which regulates ion exchange and maintains cellular homeostasis essential for survival. A compromised membrane indicates cell death, preventing the necessary physiological changes for fertilization, such as capacitation and the acrosome reaction, from occurring.

Question 5

What is the Application of Sperm Viability?

Accepted Answer

Sperm viability testing is a standard component of a comprehensive semen analysis, especially when a high percentage of spermatozoa exhibit immotility. This test guides clinicians in selecting appropriate fertility treatments, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection, where even non-motile but viable sperm can be effectively utilized.

Question 6

What is the Metric of Sperm Viability?

Accepted Answer

Viability is typically determined by vital stains like eosin-nigrosin, where only cells with damaged membranes absorb the dye, appearing red or pink, while viable cells remain unstained. The hypo-osmotic swelling test can also assess membrane integrity by observing tail coiling in viable spermatozoa when exposed to a hypotonic solution, indicating an intact membrane.

Question 7

What is the Risk of Sperm Viability?

Accepted Answer

Low sperm viability poses a significant challenge to natural conception and can necessitate advanced reproductive interventions. Misinterpretation of viability results or failure to assess it when indicated may lead to ineffective treatment strategies or prolonged infertility investigations, potentially causing emotional distress for individuals seeking to conceive.

Sperm Viability

Meaning

Context

Significance

Mechanism

Application

Metric

Risk

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