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Understanding the Semen Analysis Test Procedure
A semen analysis test is often recommended when a couple is facing problems in conceiving. While a woman may be required to undergo several tests, the man just has to have a semen analysis test.
The test bears all the facts regarding the semen and the sperm. It gives a detailed report about the various aspects of semen, the quality and quantity of sperm, and sperm motility and morphology.
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Get A Second OpinionWhat Is the Semen Analysis Test?
- Semen analysis is required as a part of infertility testing if a man is having trouble impregnating his partner.
- The aim is to see if the semen and sperm produced by the male partner are normal or not.
- A semen analysis is also requested following a vasectomy 3 months after the procedure to be completely certain that the man is sterile.
- A complete semen analysis test measures the quantity and quality of the semen during ejaculation.
- It evaluates both the liquid portion, called semen or seminal fluid and the microscopic, moving cells called sperm.
- The quality of sperm is very important for fertility.
- Most of the cases of male infertility are a result of either poor quality sperm, a low sperm count, or a nil sperm count.
Why Is a Semen Analysis Test Recommended?
- Male Infertility: Semen analysis is done when investigating fertility issues, often needing two tests 3 months apart to confirm results.
- Vasectomy: The test checks for sperm in the semen after a vasectomy to ensure the procedure is successful.
- Vasectomy Reversal: After a reversal, semen analysis is used to confirm if sperm is present and if the procedure is effective.
Semen Analysis Test Procedure
Semen Analysis Test:
This test, also called a sperm count test, examines freshly ejaculated semen.
Physical Examination:
The lab checks the semen's pH, volume, viscosity, and appearance. Volume is measured, pH is checked with paper, and viscosity is assessed by how long the semen threads.
Liquefaction:
Semen should become liquid within 60 minutes after reaching the lab.
Microscopic Examination:
After liquefaction, a semen drop is examined under a microscope to assess sperm motility, concentration, morphology, and vitality.
Sperm Parameters:
- Concentration: Measured by diluting the semen and counting sperm cells.
- Vitality: Assessed with a dye test to distinguish live sperm from dead cells.
- Motility: Observed by examining sperm movement under a microscope.
- Morphology: Stained to check the shape and size of sperm parts (head, neck, tail).
Additional Tests: Besides microscopic analysis, tests for biochemical, bacteriological, serological, and immunological factors may also be conducted.
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Book an AppointmentWhere Is A Semen Analysis Test Done?
Testing should be done at a specialised laboratory that uses methods approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO); special equipment and expertise are needed to do an accurate semen analysis. Specialised laboratories, such as those associated with IVF programs, perform more extensive testing. The cost of semen analysis can be determined by contacting the laboratory that is conducting the analysis.
Can Semen Analysis Test Be Performed At Home?
Home semen or sperm analysis tests are available, but they only tell the sperm count. They don't analyse sperm motility and sperm morphology. Results for tests performed at home can be available in 10 minutes. Getting a normal sperm count from a home test doesn't mean that a man is fertile since it doesn't consider all the possible causes of male infertility.
What Are The Preparations Needed Before The Test?
Collecting semen for a semen analysis test needs some preparation, and it is very important to follow these instructions to get an accurate result.
- One should avoid ejaculating 24-72 hours before the test.
- Ensuring a good sexual activity at least for a week before abstinence. This will result in getting active sperm.
- Consumption of alcohol, smoking, and taking drugs like cocaine and marijuana should be stopped at least 5 days before the semen analysis test.
- Any kind of medicine, herbal, homoeopathic, ayurvedic, or anabolic steroids should be stopped.
- The doctor should be informed beforehand if one is using any kind of prescribed medicines because this can affect sperm quality.
- Any kind of hormonal medicines should be stopped, too.
- One should not give a semen sample if unwell or suffering from any kind of infection.
How To Collect A Semen Sample?
On the day of the test, a fresh semen sample is collected. There are several ways to collect semen, either by self-stimulation or masturbation, and the semen is then transferred into a sterile container.
- Masturbation in the clinic is considered the best way to give a semen sample. This way, the semen remains clean and uncontaminated.
- Sex with withdrawal just before ejaculation, and then the ejaculation can be collected in a sterile container.
- But it can have some contaminants, and the first portion of seminal fluid which contains more sperm and is rich in higher DNA quality, and with higher motility, is lost in the withdrawal method.
- Semen samples can also be collected in a condom while having sex. However, the condom should not contain any lubricant or powder on it. The presence of spermicide can affect sperm quality and kill sperm.
- Semen samples can also be collected by using electric stimulators.
- If the semen is collected at home, then to ensure good quality semen, it must be kept in mind that the semen must be kept at body temperature.
- If it gets too warm or too cold, the results will be inaccurate, and the semen must be delivered to the laboratory within an hour of collection.
What Does The Semen Analysis Test Report Show?
- Turnaround Time: Results are usually available within 24 hours to 1 week, depending on the lab.
- Sperm Count: Normal is over 15 million sperm per millilitre. Fewer than 15 million is considered low.
- Sperm Morphology: Healthy sperm should have a normal shape. High numbers of abnormal sperm can indicate poor morphology.
- Sperm Motility: The sperm must move effectively to reach the egg. Grades:
-Grade A: Fast and straight.
-Grade B: Curved or crooked.
-Grade C: Immotile (not moving).
- Semen Volume: Normal volume is 2-5 ml. Low volume may suggest a blockage.
- Liquefaction Time: Semen should liquify within 15-30 minutes. Delayed liquefaction can affect sperm movement.
- Appearance: Normal semen is whitish-grey. Abnormal colours may indicate issues like blood or jaundice.
- pH Balance: It should be 7.2-7.8. A higher pH might indicate infection, while a lower pH could signal a blockage.
- Sperm Vitality: At least 58% of sperm should be alive. This helps differentiate between live and dead sperm.
- Fructose Level: Indicates energy for sperm movement. Low levels may suggest a problem with the seminal vesicles.
- White Blood Cells: High levels (leucospermia) could indicate an infection.
The Factors that can Influence a Semen Analysis Report
- Incorrect semen collection techniques, if the normal semen analysis report sample is not collected properly or the container is not sterile.
- There was a time delay between providing the sample and testing the sample in the laboratory.
- Too short an interval since the previous ejaculation.
- Recent illness in the last 3 months (even flu or a fever can temporarily lower sperm counts).
- Physical damage in the testicles can produce low sperm count, or a man who has gone through radiation treatment of testicles or had exposure to certain drugs has low sperm counts.
- Failure of the testicles and obstruction of the tubes that carry semen can all affect sperm count.
Frequently Asked Questions
A semen analysis test is a medical test that checks the health and quality of a man's sperm.
It is done to evaluate fertility issues, assess sperm count, motility (movement), morphology (shape), and overall sperm health.
A man collects a semen sample by ejaculating into a sterile cup provided by the doctor or lab, usually done in a private setting.
Before the test, it’s advised to abstain from ejaculation for 2-5 days to get an accurate sperm count and quality.
Results are usually available within a few days to a week, depending on the lab’s workload.
Yes, abnormal results can indicate infertility issues, but further tests may be needed to determine the exact cause.
Normal results include a sperm count of 15 million or more per milliliter, with good motility and healthy morphology.
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