Semen analysis

The primary diagnostic test aimed at checking the male fertility is SPERM TEST (SEMINOGRAM). Testing involves seminological assessing of the concentration, motility and morphology of spermatozoa and also seminal fluid evaluation.

Routine examination includes:

evaluation of semen characteristics- volume, time to liquidate
microscopic evaluation of sperm: sperm count, sperm movement type, the percentage of live sperm
microscopic evaluation of semen preparation after its staining-construction of sperm
biochemical studies of semen-the concentration of fructose, citrate, phosphate, fructose consumption over time

Semen analysis identifies causes behind the inability to have offspring by a man, and it is also a starting point for further precise proceedings with a couple.

PREPARATION FOR A TEST

Before testing, a man should keep a sexual abstinence for 3-5 days; should avoid stress, drugs, and excessive physical activity. In the event of an infection with a high fever or food poisoning you should reschedule your appointment for at least a month.

The test material, the seed, is obtained by masturbation. It is very important to make sure that all the semen comes from one and first ejaculation, and that its whole volume is placed in a special container. The container (dry and sterile) should be heated to a temperature of a human body (eg. hand heating); otherwise, the sperm in it may begin to decay and lose its vitality, which in the end may distort the final result of the test. In exceptional cases, and after consultation with a doctor, semen may be collected at a house and then transported to the labolatory by a patient himself.

REQUIRED INFORMATION

During the test evaluation visit, you should inform about the following:

past or current illnesses (such as hypertension, diabetes)
infectious and sexually transmitted diseases
possible testicles’ injuries
drugs and medicines being taken
exposure to harmful factors, such as high temperatures, ionizing radiation and electromagnetic fields.

If the test shows no pathological changes in the semen, there is no need to repeat it. If irregularities are found, the test is repeated 2-3 times at intervals of not more than 2-3 months and no shorter than 2-3 weeks.

Infertility is an illness that affects a man and a woman together. If the result of a man’s semen analysis diverge from the norm, that does not necessarily mean that a couple is unable to have children in a natural way. The results need to be combined with woman’s results since her reproductive potential can significantly reduce weaker sperm characteristics. In practice, only 3-5% of men with detected semen abnormalities are really infertile- in other cases we are talking about reduced fertility, which if appropriately treated, is really not a problem to grow a family (insemination, in vitro fertilization).

TYPES OF SEMEN ANALYSIS:

1. Life microscopic analysis

2. Computer testing (CASA)

Fragmentation of sperm DNA