Sperm (redirected from spermous)

sperm (sperm)

1. spermatozoon.

2. semen.

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sperm (spûrm)

n. pl sperm or sperms

1. A male gamete or reproductive cell; a spermatozoon.

2. Semen.

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Sperm

The reproductive cell of the male, which contains genetic information and participates in the act of fertilization of an ovum.

Mentioned in: Infertility

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sperm,

n the cells contained in the male's semen that fertilize the female's egg during the process of conception.

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sperm

the male germ cell. See also spermatozoon.

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sperm agglutinins

anti-sperm antibodies of the IgG class occur as autoantibodies in dogs infected with Brucella canis.

sperm capacitation

acquisition of the capacity to penetrate an ovum, not present at the time of delivery of the spermatozoon, and which requires a period of incubation in the female tract. It involves increased metabolic activity and motility and the removal of a chemical decapacitation factor from the spermatozoon. Capacitation must take place for the acrosome reaction to occur.

sperm concentration

a sperm count as measured in a hemocytometer; an indication of the health of the relevant testicles and a guide to the prospective fertility of the ejaculate and the donor.

sperm live-dead ratio

an indicator of the viability of the ejaculate as expressed in a slide count of a specially stained smear of the semen in which the dead and live sperm can be distinguished because of their differential staining.

sperm morphology

the normal anatomical structure of the spermatozoon. Abnormality of the structure of individual spermatozoa is used as a guide to the location and nature of the disease causing reduced reproductive efficiency.

Morphology of normal and abnormal canine spermatozoa. By permission from Nelson RW, Couto CG, Small Animal Internal Medicine, Mosby, 2003

sperm motility

the percentage of spermatozoa moving actively forward. Assessed under the microscope (400 × magnification) or by computerized imaging. See also wave motion; used to predict the probable fertility of the ejaculate.

sperm motility index

half the sum of the sample's sperm percentage motility + sperm progressive motility.

sperm penetration assay

see ovum penetration assay.

sperm stone

hard bodies composed of inspissated masses of spermatozoa found in dilated remnants of epididymal ducts and produced by chronic epididymitis.

sperm transport

within both male and female reproductive tracts some movement forward results from the movements of the spermatozoa but most progress is the result of peristaltic movements by the tubular organs in which the spermatozoa find themselves at the time.