Question

At what temperature should a semen sample be transported by the phlebotomist?

a) -21 to -10 C
b) 21 to 23 C
c) 25 to 30 C
d) 36 to 38 C

Answer 1

Semen samples should be transported at a temperature of 5°C for several hours before freezing. When required for insemination, the semen should be slowly melted and brought back to the body temperature of 37°C. Sperm production is sensitive to temperature, and the scrotum is designed to maintain an optimal temperature for spermatogenesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Semen samples should be transported at a temperature of 5°C for several hours before freezing. However, when the semen is required for insemination, it should be slowly melted and brought back to the body temperature of 37°C. Thawing is typically done by thawing the frozen semen straws in ice water and then slowly heating them to 37°C to avoid killing the sperm.

It is important to maintain the proper temperature for semen because sperm production in the seminiferous tubules is very sensitive to temperature. The scrotum and testes are located outside the body in the scrotum, which is about 2 degrees Celsius cooler than core body temperature, to optimize spermatogenesis.