Semen pH Strips
pH is Hydrogen ion concentration (reciprocal logarithmic expression of Hydrogen ion concentration) and is a measure of alkalinity (pH >7.0).
Semen pH is primarily determined by the ratio between seminal vesicle alkaline secretion (pH 8.2 to 8.6) and prostate acid secretion (pH 6.8 to 7.2). Therefore, semen pH is slightly alkaline (pH 7.6 to 8.6). pH is also time dependent from the moment of collection.
According to WHO Laboratory Manual, a reference value for semen pH is 7.2 or more; however, for clinical purpose to facilitate interpretation and diagnosis, Semen pH of <7.6 or >8.6 is considered abnormal.
Abnormalities in pH may be due to clinical or procedural factors.
Clinical Factors:
- pH >7.2. Low semen volume, accompanied by higher pH (above 9.0) is often due to the pathology of the prostate gland.
- pH <7.2.
- in case of Acute Prostatitis, Vacuities, Bilateral Epididymitis, usually pH is more than 8.0; whereas, in case of chronic prostatitis, pH is generally less than 7.2.
- low semen volume accompanied by low pH (below 7.2) is often due to a deficiency in seminal vesical fluid.