what is a normal seminal analysis

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What is a normal semen analysis?

Summary of WHO Criteria for a Normal Semen Analysis; According to WHO, an ejaculate is considered normal if at least 1.5ml of ejaculate contains more than 15 million sperms per milliliter of semen. Out of these at least 32% should swim in a forward direction, and at least 4% should have a normal shape.

What are the World Health Organization guidelines for normal sperm analysis?

World Health Organization Guidelines for Normal Semen Analysis Parameter Lower Reference Limits Semen volume (ml) 1.5 (1.4 to 1.7) Total sperm count (10^6) 39 (33 to 46) Sperm concentration (10^6 / ml) 15 (12 to 16) Total motility (percent) 40 (38 to 42) 3 more rows ...

What does normal sperm look like?

What your sperm look like (morphology). The size and shape of your sperm affect how well they can fertilize an egg. Normal semen will have at least 4% normally shaped sperm. In addition to analyzing your sperm, your doctor will also find out other details from your sample, including:

What do doctors look for in a sperm analysis?

In addition to analyzing your sperm, your doctor will also find out other details from your sample, including the following: Volume. He’ll note how much semen you were able to provide for your sample. A normal amount is at least 1.5 milliliters, or about half a teaspoon.

What is normal and abnormal sperm count?

Sperm count. Normal range is 40 million to 300 million sperm per mL of fluid. While a count below 15 million is considered abnormal, counts of 20 million to 30 million may be adequate to achieve pregnancy if other sperm factors are normal.

What is an acceptable sperm sample?

They'll note how much semen you were able to provide for your sample. A normal amount is at least 1.5 milliliters, or about half a teaspoon. If your sample is less than that, it could mean that your seminal vesicles aren't making enough fluid or are blocked.

Does ejaculating multiple times reduce sperm count?

Frequent male masturbation isn't likely to have much effect on your fertility. Some data shows that optimum semen quality occurs after two to three days of no ejaculation. But other research suggests that men who have normal sperm quality maintain normal sperm motility and concentrations even with daily ejaculation.

What is the normal range of sperm count?

Normal sperm densities range from 15 million to greater than 200 million sperm per milliliter of semen. You are considered to have a low sperm count if you have fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter or less than 39 million sperm total per ejaculate.

How long is sperm viable in a cup?

A sperm sample collected in a sterile container at body temperature may remain alive for several hours, but the sperms' fertilizing capability drops dramatically within 60 minutes after ejaculation.

What is a good total motile sperm count?

What Is a Normal Sperm Motility? A total motile count of over 20 million is considered normal. However, even if you have more than 20 million motile sperm, it may not result a higher chance of pregnancy.

How do I read my sperm test results?

Sperm movement, or motility, is important to fertility because sperm must travel to fertilize an egg. An automated system analyzes the sperm for movement and rates them on a scale of 0 to 4. A score of 0 means the sperm are not moving, and a score of 3 or 4 represents good movement.

WHAT IS ICSI?

ICSI is one of the in-vitro fertilization techniques that involve collection of eggs & sperms. Process of ICSI involves injecting a single sperm di...

WHEN TO CONSIDER ICSI?

Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection is recommended in case of sever male fertility issues like low sperm count, poor motility, abnormal morphology, a...

HOW MANY SPERMS ARE NEEDED FOR ICSI?

In ICSI procedure, only one sperm is enough for one egg. In patients of Oligospermia, good numbers of sperm are retrieved from semen sample, collec...

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IVF AND ICSI?

Main difference between IVF and ICSI is the Fertilization technique of both procedures. ICSI is an advanced technology where every single sperm is...

What is sperm analysis?

Semen analysis, also known as a sperm count test, analyzes the health and viability of a man’s sperm. Semen is the fluid containing sperm (plus other sugar and protein substances) that’s released during ejaculation. A semen analysis measures three major factors of sperm health:

What is the normal sperm shape?

If a man has greater than 50 percent of sperm that are abnormally shaped, this reduces his fertility. A laboratory may identify abnormalities in the sperm’s head, midsection, or tail. It’s also possible the sperm could be immature and therefore not able to effectively fertilize an egg.

What happens if sperm is abnormal?

Abnormal sperm will have trouble reaching and penetrating eggs, making conception difficult. Abnormal results could indicate the following:

How many sperms are in a milliliter of semen?

A normal sperm count (above 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen) from a home test doesn’t necessarily mean that a man is fertile, since it doesn’t consider all the possible causes of male infertility. If you are concerned about your fertility, it’s best to get a lab test done by a medical professional.

How many days apart should sperm be tested?

According to the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), the tests should be conducted at least seven days apart and over the course of two to three months. Sperm counts can vary on a daily basis.

How long does it take for sperm to be ready for testing?

After your semen sample is collected, your test results should be ready within 24 hours to one week, depending on the laboratory you go to. When a doctor reviews sperm analysis test results, there are many factors to consider.

Why do you need a semen test?

The test will help a doctor determine if a man is infertile. The analysis will also help determine if low sperm count or sperm dysfunction is the reason behind infertility.

Why is semen analysis important?

Semen Analysis is an important diagnostic tool for the evaluation of male fertility, by examining the male semen and the sperms present within. The test is necessary for those wanting to conceive or for those verifying the success of vasectomy.

What is a sperm concentration of less than 20 million per milliliter?

A sperm concentration of less than 20 million per milliliter is labeled as oligospermia and a concentration of less than 5 million per milliliter is labeled as severe oligospermia .

Which sperm has the strongest motility?

Motility IV or Grade A: Sperms that fall in this category are the ones with progressive motility, they move fast in a straight line and are the strongest.

What is the pH of an ejaculate?

Ph; the pH of an ejaculate as stated by WHO should be between 7.2 – 7.8. any pH value not falling in this range is considered harmful to the sperms, affecting their motility and hence their ability to penetrate the egg.

What grade is Motility II?

Motility II or Grade C : These move in a non-progressive manner, which means they do move their tails but do not progress forward.

What is sperm analysis?

Semen analysis measures several factors in addition to a person’s sperm count. Semen analysis is a laboratory test that measures several factors in addition to a person’s sperm count. These include: Liquefaction: This is the ability of semen to change from a gel to a liquid state. If the sperm does not liquefy in about 15–20 minutes, ...

Why do doctors recommend semen analysis?

A doctor may recommend a semen analysis for many reasons, such as to test for possible underlying causes of infertility, how well the reproductive organs are working, or whether a surgical procedure for sterility was successful.

What are the measurements of how well sperm can swim to fertilize an egg and how fast the sperm?

Motility and velocity: These are measurements of how well sperm can swim to fertilize an egg and how fast the sperm travel.

What does it mean when your sperm count is low?

Low sperm counts. According to Resolve, a low sperm count is anything under 10 million sperm per ml. Although a low sperm count can negatively impact a person’s fertility, it does not mean that pregnancy is not possible. Even a single sperm injected directly into an egg can fertilize it. If a person has a sperm count that ranges from 20 million ...

How to increase sperm count?

Some of these recommendations may include: 1 Drinking less or no alcohol. Alcohol can reduce testosterone production, which can reduce sperm count. 2 Not smoking. Men who smoke typically have lower sperm counts than those who do not. 3 Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight. Fat cells in the body release an enzyme called aromatase, which breaks down testosterone into estrogen. This can decrease testosterone and sperm count. 4 Avoiding overheating the testicles. Although research on this topic has yielded mixed results, some people who want to improve fertility avoid using hot tubs, saunas, and laptop computers on their lap. 5 Reducing stress. Stress may cause changes in the shape of sperm and affect fertility, according to the authors of a 2018 study.

What are the determinants of sperm count?

These are the number of cells needed for sperm production, or Sertoli cells, and the time since a person last ejaculated. The longer the time since the last ejaculation, the higher the sperm count is likely to be in a test.

How long does it take for sperm to liquefy?

Liquefaction: This is the ability of semen to change from a gel to a liquid state. If the sperm does not liquefy in about 15–20 minutes, the sperm may not be able to adequately travel to fertilize an egg. Morphology: The size and shape of the sperm can affect fertility.

What is the shape of sperm?

Sperm, male reproductive cells. The cells have a unique shape that contain: Head, which includes genetic material (DNA) to fertilize a woman’s egg. Tail that helps it travel (“swim”) through a woman’s reproductive system to reach the egg and fertilize it.

What does abnormal results mean?

Abnormal results mean that you have a below-average chance of getting a woman pregnant. But a semen analysis is not the only factor in evaluating male infertility. Extra testing is often needed to learn more. These tests may confirm or rule out: Blockages that prevent the body from releasing sperm into semen.

What is the motility of sperm?

Sperm motility: Ability of the sperm to swim toward an egg. Time to liquefaction: How quickly semen changes from a sticky substance to a liquid. Vitality: Percent of live sperm in the sample. White blood cells: A sign of infection or inflammation.

Does sperm move in a normal test?

Normal results would show no sperm or very few non-moving sperm.

What is sperm analysis?

Semen analysis is an important fertility test for infertile couples, and the test should be done before any treatments (even "just Clomid ") are prescribed. Also referred to as sperm count testing, semen analysis includes more than just a sperm count.

How long does it take to get a semen sample?

Keep in mind that a semen sample should be evaluated within a particular time frame (generally two hours). 1  If you live far away from the fertility clinic, your doctor might deem it necessary for you to give a sample at the office.

Why is sperm morphology poor?

Poor sperm morphology may be caused by the same things that can cause low sperm counts. Sperm morphology is poorly understood, and because the evaluation is somewhat subjective, scores can vary on the same semen sample, in the same lab, using the same scoring techniques.

Why is my sperm count low?

Abnormally low sperm counts can also be caused by certain medications, a recent illness accompanied by high fever, and exposure of the scrotum to heat (as in a hot tub). Smoking, obesity, and excess alcohol intake has been linked to low sperm count. Often, the cause for low sperm count is never found.

What causes low semen volume?

What Might Be Wrong If Results Are Abnormal: Low semen volume can be caused by an obstruction of the vas deferens (the duct that carries sperm from the testicles to the urethra), absence or blockage of the seminal vesicle, partial retrograde ejaculation, or a hormonal imbalance.

How many cases of infertility are related to the male partner?

While one-third of infertility cases involve the female partner, one-third of infertility cases are related to the male partner. The other third involves both partners or is unexplained infertility. 1 . Every infertile couple must make sure the male partner is tested.

Which gland contains zinc-rich fluid to maintain DNA stability of the sperm?

The prostate gland (which includes zinc-rich fluid to maintain DNA stability of the sperm)

What tests are recommended for sperm?

Depending on your results, your doctor may recommend other tests, including: Sperm antibodies. This provides more information about your sperms’ ability to penetrate an egg or their swimming speed and direction.

How much of your sperm should be active?

Ideally, 50% or more of your sperm sample should be active. What your sperm look like (morphology). The size and shape of your sperm affect how well they can fertilize an egg. Normal semen will have at least 4% normally shaped sperm.

What hormones can cause low sperm count?

Testosterone: Supplements that boost this hormone can send the wrong signal to your body and make it stop producing natural testosterone and sperm. It can lead to a low count or lack of sperm. Anabolic steroids: Used to build muscle, these drugs can affect your body’s sperm production.

What does it mean when your sperm count is low?

Low levels, or no fructose, could mean you have an obstruction. If your semen analysis results are abnormal, your doctor will likely want you to have other tests to figure out your specific fertility problem. Abnormal Results. Test results aren’t always a true indicator of fertility, as men with low sperm counts can still be fertile and vice versa.

What is the test to see if sperm can swim in cervical mucus?

Cervical mucus penetration test (Pentrak). This is done to see how well sperm can swim in a woman’s cervical mucus to get to the egg.

How many sperm per milliliter?

This will provide a wealth of information, including: How many sperm there are (concentration). A normal sperm count is at least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen.

What is SPA test?

Sperm penetration assay (SPA). Also known as a hamster egg test, this checks sperms’ ability to break through the outer wall and fuse with the egg.

What is sperm analysis?

A sperm analysis involves checking a sample of semen for overall sperm health. The process can help doctors to determine the underlying cause of a person’s inability to conceive, or it may confirm the outcome of a vasectomy. A sperm analysis tests for several markers of sperm health, including:

Why do doctors use semen analysis?

Instead, doctors can use the results as a tool to help identify what factors are causing fertility issues. People who receive abnormal results from a semen analysis typically undergo further testing to help identify the exact issue. In many cases, a person’s fertility issues resolve with the right treatment.

What is the ability of the sperm to move efficiently?

Sperm motility is the ability of the sperm to move efficiently. Low motility can reduce the sperm’s capacity to move through the female reproductive system to fertilize the egg. In a typical sample, at least 50 percent. Trusted Source. of the sperm will demonstrate normal motility.

Why do you need sperm analysis after a vasectomy?

Following a vasectomy, doctors typically recommend regular sperm analyses for several months to ensure there are no sperm remaining in the semen.

What are the issues with sperm?

of men demonstrate issues with their sperm, resulting from one or a combination of: low sperm count in a sample of semen. poor sperm movement, known as motility. abnormal sperm size and shape, known as morphology. People may also have a sperm analysis to check if a vasectomy was successful. A vasectomy is a surgical procedure ...

What is the normal sperm count?

Sperm count refers to the number of sperm that are present in 1 ml of semen. World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. suggest that a normal sperm count is at least 15 million per ml or no fewer than 39 million sperm per sample. Having less than this indicates a low sperm count.

What does a high pH mean in sperm?

PH level. Having a pH that is too high (alkaline) or too low (acidic) may affect the health of the sperm and their ability to move through the female reproductive tract. Seminal fructose levels. Semen samples that do not contain sperm may demonstrate low levels of fructose.

What is the most important value in a semen analysis that guides treatment decisions?

This would be the total motile count or how many million swimming sperm are present. Total motile count (TMC) is defined as the volume of the ejaculate in ml x concentration of sperm per ml x % motility (percentage of sperm that are moving forward). Thus a man with 5ml of ejaculate, 10 million sperm per milliliter where 50% of the sperm are moving would have TMC calculated as follows:

What percentage of sperm is normal?

There are very strict criteria for what a “normal” sperm looks like. Typically, only 4 -10% of a man’s sperm are normal, meaning that the vast majority do not look perfect under the microscope. Many people equate abnormal morphology to children with birth defects. This is completely incorrect.

Does it matter which lab I get my semen analysis in?

Yes – big time. This is critical to ensuring a useful test. Not all labs are created equal. Labs that are not based in a fertility clinic do not provide the same quality testing as those done in a high volume fertility center. For example, our lab, at the University of Utah, performs 10-15 semen analyses a day, while a lab in a hospital may perform 1 a week. We always recommend that our patients get a semen analysis from a fertility center, as we often see men who have been told that they have no sperm from an outside center where our analysis finds sperm.

What does it mean when your sperm volume is low?

If the volume is low, this could indicate a plumbing problem where the sperm simply cannot get out from the testicles or, a problem where some of the sperm goes back into the bladder after a man ejaculates.

How long does it take for sperm to produce?

Further, unlike women, who have a fixed number of eggs, men regenerate sperm constantly. The sperm production process takes approximately 64 days from the time the sperm is made from the stem cells in the testicles until it is ejaculated. (See Figure 1).

How much does sperm variability vary?

Sperm parameters can vary by up to 400% from test to test, although generally patients stay in roughly the same classification. Much of this variation is due to seasonal variability (sperm counts peak in the early Spring), environmental exposure, exposure to heat, stress and other factors such as hormone levels.

Is sperm produced in humans?

The answer to this is a resounding no. Human sperm production is a very inefficient process and a normal man has ~96% of his sperm that look ab normal. Fortunately, the shape of the sperm does not correlate to the genetic material inside.