Wet Mount Motile Sperm

Norm of Wet Mount Motile Sperm

Negative.

 

Usage of Wet Mount Motile Sperm

Reported sexual assault.

 

Description of Wet Mount Motile Sperm

Fresh vaginal specimen examined microscopically for presence of sperm.

 

Professional Considerations of Wet Mount Motile Sperm

Consent form or verbal consent IS usually required because specimens may be used as legal evidence.
Preparation

1. Obtain a speculum, a wooden Pap-smear stick, normal saline with a 60-mL syringe, a sterile specimen cup, and slides with frosted tips on which to label client information.
2. See Client and Family Teaching.

 

Procedure

1. Have the specimen collection witnessed if the specimen may be used as legal evidence.
2. Do NOT lubricate the speculum; this may inhibit sperm mobility.
3. Obtain a vaginal specimen by vaginal wash with normal saline or a Pap-smear stick.
4. Avoid cotton-tipped applicators.

 

Postprocedure Care

1. Write the client's name, the date, exact time of collection, and specimen source on the laboratory requisition. Sign, and have the witness sign, the laboratory requisition.
2. Transport the specimen to the laboratory immediately in a sealed plastic bag marked as legal evidence. All clients handling the specimen should sign and mark the time of receipt on the laboratory requisition.

 

Client and Family Teaching

1. The client may urinate before the procedure but should not wipe the vulva afterward; this may eliminate sperm.
2. Survivors of sexual assault should be referred to appropriate crisis counseling agencies as well as for gynecologic follow-up study.
3. Referral for HIV testing should be reviewed and offered to all sexual assault victims.
4. Preventive treatment for chlamydiosis, gonorrhea, and syphilis should be provided to all survivors of sexual assault.
5. The option of a postcoital contraceptive should be reviewed with all survivors of sexual assault.

 

Factors That Affect Results

1. Avoid extreme temperature change or direct sunlight on slides when en route to the laboratory or a legal agency.
2. Delayed delivery of the specimen or use of a condom may decrease the number of viable sperm.

 

Other Data

1. The presence of sperm is not proof of rape because the definition of rape is a legal matter. Low levels do not exclude intercourse.
2. Normal postcoital cervical mucosa reveal at least 10 motile sperm per high-power field.
3. Federal and local laws, regulations, customs, and procedures must be known.