Final answer:
Wearing gloves is crucial when transporting a semen sample to prevent contamination, maintain sample integrity, and protect the handler's safety. It is part of the standard safety protocols in fertility labs during the collection, analysis, and cryopreservation processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Wearing gloves is a standard practice in handling biological samples, such as a semen sample, to maintain sample integrity and ensure safety. Gloves protect both the sample and the handler from potential contamination and are essential when following the proper protocol for semen collection, analysis, and cryopreservation. Safety protocols stress the importance of glove usage as they prevent the transfer of skin oils and microorganisms to the semen, ensure the semen does not come into contact with potential contaminants on the handler's hands, and protect the person handling the semen from exposure to biohazardous material. Semen quality is assessed by exploring parameters such as motility, concentration, and the presence of abnormalities. To ensure the fertility functions and viability of preserved semen, a semen extender is used and the sample is gradually cooled and frozen in nitrogen vapor, highlighting the necessity of stringent sample handling procedures, including wearing gloves.