Every look at sperm under a microscope?

[EllyMayMomma]

We did last night! Since we have been ttc for so long and DH is older, a lack of sperm was a concern. There is no way he would have a SA so I decided to see if we could tell anything from using our cheap, plastic, homeschool microscope and WOW!!! could we ever! I was shocked at how many there were and how fast they can MOVE. They were so much smaller than I had imagined them to be, and you could not really see the tails - they move so fast and were so small - but you could catch glimpses of them. The sperm kind of reflected the light and it made them sparkle and flash. I know this is not the same as an SA but I am THRILLED with what we saw. Now if I can only get my hormones regulated and O . . .

[2xand2y]

There are places on the web where you can learn to do an SA yourself. Especially, if you look where the people "hang out" who are TTC after a vasectomy reversal. I know someone through the internet that does it and I'm always surprised at how much they KNOW about their fertility (not just hers). Best wishes!

[bcblondie]

I did! I used my saliva scope! It's only a 40X but I could definately see the little dots squigling around.

Where did you get your microscope and how strong is it?

Do you have a link to how to do the SA?

[momsmyjob]

I've seen them in Anatomy & Physiology class. They're tiny, but when you look at them..wow! I saw them clearly, tails and all.

[enigo]

Originally Posted by momsmyjob

I've seen them in Anatomy & Physiology class. They're tiny, but when you look at them..wow! I saw them clearly, tails and all.

Intersting...Where do they get them from for a class?

[Nicole730]

I did once when DH and I were dating. With a cheapy microscope you can get at local stores, don't know which kind exactly. He thought I was crazy, but I definitely saw them moving all over the place!

[EllyMayMomma]

Our microscope is just a little red plastic one I got off of ebay for like $12. It is not great at all but I could still really see them. I think it goes up to 400X? and I had to use the highest power to see them. I could not see anything with less but it could just be the microscope. It would be really neat to see them with a good scope. I am going to check around and see if I can find more info on the "self" SA.

[bcblondie]

400 times would be pretty strong. I saw them at only 40 times. I would totally buy that microscope. Do you have the link or remember the seller's name?

[bcblondie]

Was it possibly this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Quick-Switch-Mic...item48391cfc71

[EllyMayMomma]

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-COMBO-PACK-T...item4aa42274cc

It is this microscope.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MICROSCOPE-S...item4aa43041ae

This is one that looks like it without the telescope but the zooms are a bit different. Don't expect much! but it works.

[EllyMayMomma]

http://www.fertilityformen.com/info.php
Link on doing your own SA. Really cool. FWIW Figure 3 is like what I saw.

[bcblondie]

Thanks!!

[bri276]

Just listened to this yesterday:

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/

(it's listed under "Sperm" in the sidebar )

[Maurine]

Originally Posted by enigo

Intersting...Where do they get them from for a class?

I am wondering this too! From the male students? From anonymous volunteers?

[bcblondie]

I never thought of that! I'm interested to know too. Maybe they have frozen specemins?

[forthekids123]

never would of thought of trying that, now I need a microscope! Why not DH already thinks I lost my mind

[texaspeach]

Originally Posted by enigo

Intersting...Where do they get them from for a class?

in my a&p class they were prepared, fixed slides - preserved not fresh

[momsmyjob]

Originally Posted by texaspeach

in my a&p class they were prepared, fixed slides - preserved not fresh

That's it.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

We used a little cheapy microscope as well to see them and was so neat. With the one I had you could see the tails and everything.

[littlest birds]

I used a somewhat nicer 400x microscope. The nicer scope is way easier to handle for focusing and adjusting light. We got it for our homeschooling kids too.

our microscope It was the great reviews that also happened to include two dog breeders who used the scope to look at dog sperm LOL so that was a good sign.

I've heard to get an LED light so that the heat doesn't harm the sperm, but we didn't do that since this really wasn't the most important use for us. I could still see them well. It took about 15 seconds for me to find the focus and lower the light to see them.

There are several videos on youtube BTW.