KIVO Med
The spermatozoon: structure and biology
Relate the specialized architecture, maturation, transit, survival and semen-analysis findings of the spermatozoon.
- 59 explained questions
- 33 flashcards
- 194 estimated course minutes
Updated
What you will learn
- Describe spermatozoon compartments and their components in light and electron microscopy.
- Relate specialization of the head, neck and flagellum to motility and fertilization.
- Follow sperm transit, maturation, capacitation and survival.
- Interpret the main semen-analysis and sperm-morphology parameters and abnormalities.
Course outline
Orientation: a specialized cell
Situate the spermatozoon as the male gamete and identify the main structural and biological questions.
10 min
Structure by light microscopy
Identify spermatozoon segments and their dimensions at the scale of light microscopy.
18 min
Head, nucleus and acrosome by electron microscopy
Relate the pear-shaped head, nuclear compaction and enzymatic organization of the acrosome.
20 min
Neck and flagellum organization
Describe the centriolar apparatus and the organization of the intermediate, principal and terminal flagellar pieces.
24 min
Component inventory and functional specialization
Relate each cell component to motility, oocyte penetration and transfer of genetic information.
16 min
Transit, migration and storage in the male ducts
Follow sperm progression from the straight tubules to the ejaculatory duct and distinguish sites of storage and maturation.
18 min
Survival, decapacitation and capacitation
Relate seminal fluid, sperm preservation and membrane remodeling that makes fertilization possible.
22 min
Semen composition and basic examinations
Distinguish cellular elements from seminal fluid and understand what semen analysis and sperm morphology analysis measure.
18 min
Morphology, volume and count
Interpret morphology thresholds, ejaculate volume and sperm concentration.
20 min
Motility and asthenospermia
Use time-dependent normal motility thresholds and recognize asthenospermia.
12 min
External factors affecting semen
Relate vascular integrity, temperature, light, infections, radiation and medications to their described effects on semen.
16 min
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