Sperm Diagram – Semen Analysis
A test of a man’s sperm and semen is called a semen analysis. The results, which are often referred to as a sperm count or male fertility test, display the quantity, shape, and motility of the discharged sperm.
The viscous liquid that emerges from men’s penises during ejaculation is called semen. In order to fertilize an egg and generate an embryo (the first stage of pregnancy), it transports sperm outside of a man’s body.
Chania Fertility Unit having a staff with 35-year experience in IVF provide a fully analytical and thorough semen analysis.
Moreover, our clinic offers additional supplementary services such as Oxidative Reduction Potential, which is a stress measurement acting as an indicator of the sperm’s ability to remove free oxygen radicals.
The reason to do a Semen Analysis
A semen analysis is probably one of the first tests your doctor will order if you and your spouse are having problems becoming pregnant.
Although problems with reproduction can affect both men and women, male infertility accounts for up to half of all cases of infertility. Additionally, poor sperm production is a common cause of male infertility.
A semen study may also be required to confirm the outcome of a vasectomy, a technique meant to avoid pregnancy. Usually, it’s done eight to sixteen weeks following the procedure to check for the presence of viable sperm.
Results of a Semen Analysis Test
Your semen sample will be examined under a microscope by a lab once it has been received. This will yield a multitude of data, such as:
- The number (concentration) of sperm. At least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen is considered typical. Anything below that is seen as a low sperm count.
- How motile (moving) your sperm is. Your physician will assess the quantity and quality of sperm motility. A minimum of 50% of the sperm sample ought to be viable.
- Your sperm’s morphology or form. Your sperm’s ability to fertilize an egg depends on its size and shape. At least 4% of the sperm in typical semen will have a regular shape.
Apart from examining your sperm, the doctor will also extract additional information from your sample, such as:
- Volume. The amount of semen you were able to supply for your sample will be noted. At least 1.5 milliliters, or roughly half a teaspoon, is considered normal. If your sample size is smaller than that, it may indicate that your seminal vesicles are obstructed or aren’t producing enough fluid. It’s also possible that you have a prostate issue.
- Chemical composition. The acidity of your semen is measured by your pH level. pH typically ranges from 7.1 to 8.0. If your pH is low, your semen is acidic. It is alkaline if its pH is high. ApH imbalance can impact the well-being and motility of your sperm.
- Swelling time. Normal ejaculation produces a thick stream of semen. The amount of time it takes to become liquid is measured by the liquefaction time. It will take roughly twenty minutes. Yours might not turn liquid at all or take longer, which could indicate a problem.
- Fructose level. Your doctor will likely test your semen for seminal fructose, which is produced by your seminal vesicles if they don’t discover any sperm in it. Fructose levels that are low or absent could indicate a blockage.
