Spermine is a polyamine produced in a variety of cells and bacteria. It is produced in the testis and released into the semen. Spermine phosphate crystals were first described in the semen by Leeuwenhoek in 1678.
Synonym: Boettcher's crystals
Spermine phosphate crystals are colorless, translucent and elongated with pointed ends.
The presence of spermine phosphate in a body fluid is supportive evidence for semen..
Spermine phosphate crystals tend to occur in samples that have stood for some time. They are usually not seen in a fresh specimen.
These need to be distinguished from other types of crystals that might be present (contaminants in the specimen container, drug crystals).
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