The semen test is the first step in assessing a man's fertility
Semen testing
Extended semen analysis (in other words, a seminogram or a spermiogram) is one of the first and basic tests performed in the diagnosis of male infertility. Arrange for a semen test at the InviMed clinic of your choice. Our experienced embryologists’ team guarantees objective results.
Semen testing is the basis for the diagnostics of male infertility. It is used to assess the quality, number and activity of sperm cells based on the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2010.
During the test, general semen parameters such as ejaculate volume and viscosity, liquefaction time, pH, semen appearance, total number of sperm cells in the semen, number of sperm cells in 1 ml of ejaculate, percentage of live and motile sperm cells, as well as possible agglutination (grouping) of sperm cells and its stage of development are analysed.
In the extended semen test, the sperm cells morphology is additionally assessed and the proportions between the sperm cells of normal morphology and those with morphological damage are determined. Defects in the morphology of sperm cells include the damage to the tail, the midpiece and the head.
How to prepare for an semen test?
- Abstention from any sexual activity (ejaculation) is required for 3-5 days (exactly - no less or more). Too short time of abstinence may falsify the outcome, which may result in reduced sperm concentration. Longer time of refraining from ejaculation can reduce the life of the sperm cells.
- You should abstain from alcohol consumption for 3-5 days preceding the examination. Alcohol can cause spermatogenesis disorder.
Important!
Remember to inform your physician about any illnesses and medications you have been taking during the 3 months before the test so that he/she can correctly interpret the result of the test.
What does a semen test look like?
The semen is placed in a sterile container and then passed on for testing. Although this can be done at home and the ejaculate can be delivered to the laboratory within an hour, it is recommended that the material for analysis be obtained at the infertility treatment clinic, as the reliability of the test results depends on the correct storage of the ejaculate.
At InviMed clinics, patients provide a semen sample in a locked room equipped with a bathroom. The room is designed in such a way that patients can relax in an intimate atmosphere.
A man’s partner may accompany him during the provision of a semen sample. Couples can use special condoms available at the clinic that are not toxic to sperm cells, so that the ejaculate can be obtained during an intercourse. Special care for personal hygiene is recommended. The result is available up to 7 working days.
Semen testing - how to interpret the result?
Semen parameters are assessed by reference to the latest standards established by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The result of the semen test is also supplemented by an appropriate comment by the specialist who has examined the semen.
Remember that values lower than the range of normal indicated above do not mean infertility. Thanks to modern medicine, even a patient with a significant semen parameters disorder can become a father.
Interpretation of semen test results- limits of normal:
- Volume of ejaculate: ≥ 1.5 mL
- Total sperm count in the ejaculate: ≥ 39 million/mL
- Sperm cells concentration (sperm cells count in 1 mL of semen): ≥ 15 million
- Percentage of motile sperm cells (progressive and non-progressive motility): ≥ 40%
- Percentage of sperm with progressive motility: ≥ 32%
- Sperm vitality (the percentage of live sperm cells) ≥ 58%
- pH ≥ 7.2
- Sperm cells morphology (percentage of completely normal sperm cells) ≥ 4%