Semen Analysis
Purpose of Semen Analysis:
A semen analysis is primarily ordered to evaluate fertility in individuals who produce sperm. Infertility can result from various factors, including reproductive tract diseases or health conditions affecting one or both partners. This test helps doctors detect potential fertility issues and determine appropriate treatments or further testing.
Additionally, a semen analysis is essential in assessing the success of a vasectomy. After undergoing a vasectomy, which is a surgical procedure to prevent sperm from entering the semen, a semen analysis is performed around three months later to confirm the absence of sperm. This ensures that the individual is no longer fertile.
During a semen diagnosis test, several measurements are taken to evaluate the semen and sperm. These measurements include:
: Semen Volume
: Semen pH
: Sperm Count
: Sperm Concentration
: Sperm Motility
: Sperm Morphology
: Agglutination
: Immature Germ Cells
: Leukocytes
It is important to note that additional abnormalities may be observed during microscopic examination.
When Should I Get a Semen Analysis?
The timing of a semen diagnosis test is determined by various factors, including medical history, age, and physical examination findings. Generally, an infertility evaluation is recommended if a couple has been unable to conceive after frequent unprotected sex for more than a year or six months if the female partner is over 35 years old. However, doctors may also suggest a semen analysis if there are concerns about fertility.
Note: In the case of a vasectomy, a semen analysis is typically conducted approximately three months after the surgical procedure to ensure its success.
How to Get Tested:
A semen diagnosis test is typically performed at a doctor's office or a similar medical setting. Patients are provided with a private room and instructions on how to collect a semen sample through masturbation. Alternatively, a specialized condom can be used during intercourse to collect the sample, which must then be promptly brought to a medical facility for analysis.
Can I Take the Test at Home?
Home testing options for semen analysis are available, including self-tests and self-collection tests. Self-tests allow you to collect and test a semen sample at home, usually measuring sperm count and/or sperm motility. On the other hand, self-collection tests provide the materials to collect a sample at home, which can then be sent to a laboratory for comprehensive analysis.
Taking a semen diagnosis test:
Before taking the test, your doctor will provide instructions on how to collect a semen sample. Typically, you will be advised to abstain from ejaculation for two to seven days before the test, as this can affect the accuracy of the results.
During the test, a semen diagnosis test is collected by masturbating into a sterile container. This can be done at home or in a private area at the doctor's office or laboratory. If a different collection method is preferred, such as using a special condom during intercourse, it is crucial to follow the provided instructions. It is essential to collect all of the ejaculate produced and inform the healthcare provider if any issues arise during the collection process.
After collecting the sample, return it to the healthcare professional or laboratory for analysis. It is crucial to deliver the sample within the specified time frame for accurate results.
Interpreting Test Results:
Test results from a semen diagnosis test are typically available within a few business days. To interpret the results properly, doctors consider the semen analysis alongside your health history, physical examination findings, and other relevant tests.
Collection: Patients usually collect semen through masturbation. Some people do semen collection by coitus. semen collected through masturbation or coitus (without these two ways I will not do the semen collection) and taken in a clean container or test tube. After sample collection, the sample should be kept in an incubator at 37 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes. then we have to start testing. the patients must be absent from coitus or masturbation for 3 to 7 days.
Semen routine examination:
Physical examination:
Volume: A healthy person passes 2-5 ml semen. if
the amount of semen is less than 1.0 ml it is considered abnormal.
Color: Whitish
Order: Fishy
Viscosity: Semen is highly viscous
Chemical examination:
Reaction: - Allows semen reaction alkaline.
Semen fructose: The sugar of semen
is fructose. the lower the fructose level, the lower the amount of spam in the semen.
The decrease in the amount of testosterone in the blood, the decreases the amount
of semen.
Preparation of Resorcinol Reagent:
50 mg resorcinol + 33 ml concentrated HCL + distilled water (17 ml) = 100 ml resorcinol reagent.
Semen fructose test method:
- Take a 5 ml of resorcinol reagent inside a 10 ml test tube.
- Then add to resorcinol reagent to 0.5ml semen with mix and well.
- Then boiling in Sprite lamp.
- After Bolling Color change is positive and no color change is negative.
- If the red sediment falls within 30 seconds of boiling, the test is positive
If a positive result is obtained, it should be tested in another tube with 0.5% reagent and compared with the color of the patient’s positive test if the color of the 0.5% reagent and the positive patient's test are the same then present is patients is approached 2% glucose. Generally high amount of glucose is not present.
Microscopic Examination:
- Semen Analysis Fluid
- Sodium bicarbonate-5 gm
- Formalin-1ml
- Distilled Water-100 ml
Sperm Count:
· Should be taken WBC pipette semen’s
up to 0.5 mark and semen analysis fluid marks up to 11.
· Well mixed then wait 2-3 minutes
· I will cover it with an improved
Neubauer counting chamber special coverslip and then I will give one to two
drops of cement fluid special coverslip and spread it well. then charge the
chamber with one drop on top of the chamber.
· Then wait two minutes.
· Observation of first finding in
10x objective microscope abject now.
· To create a report, you must
report on the 40X objective.
· Same WBC count, you have to count
the big (4 × 16) = 64 houses in the four corners of the improved Neubauer
chamber.
· Multiply this number by 50,000 to
get the amount of spam available in 64 houses. multiplying semen sperm per
milliliter.
Calculation: Sperm count per ml ÷
sperm counted × 50000
Procedure:
· Take 1 drop of semen on a clean glass
slide.
· With cover the coverslip
· The microscope's 40x objective should be counted and a minimum count of 200 sperm in the field. Then among them, 80% of sperm motility is called normal. Then after 3 hours and 6 hours, you have to look at the microscope again and write the motility report. healthy sperm active motility 6 hours, but weak spermatozoa lose there are activity for 3 hours. if the loss of an average of 5% every hour is considered normal.
Sperm Morphology:
When testing semen must be you need
to see if there are any abnormalities in the spam. Sperm if any problem
with spermatozoa, head, neck, tail, and body, it should be identified, and a
report should be written on how many abnormal spams there are out of every 100
sperm.
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| Semen Analysis Picture |
The normal value of semen:
Volume: 2-5 ml
Color: Whitish, Grayish
Reaction: Alkaline
Odor: Fishy
Viscosity: Viscous
Sperm Count: 40-110 Million / ml
(More than 40 million / ml)
Motility: Initially 80-90%,
After 2nd hours: 70-85%,
After 4th hours: 70-80%.
Morphological Character:
More than 60%,
Usually, 70-90% are normal.
Motility-
Study of semen:
Hours of ejaculation 1 hrs. 4 hrs.8 hrs.
% of motility
80-85%, 70-80%, 60-70%
Degree of motility:
Excellent, Good, Good
The results of a semen diagnosis test are compared to reference limits established through studies of couples who achieved successful pregnancies. Lower chances of pregnancy are associated with certain results:
Normal Count :
Semen Volume: 2.5 milliliters (mL) or less
Total Sperm Count: 40 million sperm per sample or less
Sperm Concentration: 15 million sperm per mL or less
Sperm Motility (Total): 40% or less
Sperm Morphology: 4% or less of sperm with normal shape
Semen pH: 7.2 or lower
Leukocytes: More than 1 million
It is important to note that abnormal results do not definitively diagnose fertility or infertility. Individuals with results outside the established ranges may still be fertile, while those with seemingly healthy results may experience infertility. Additionally, reference limits for sperm analysis can vary geographically and between laboratories.
Abnormal results from a semen diagnosis test may indicate underlying health issues affecting sperm production or its ability to fertilize an egg. Factors such as age, lifestyle, genetics, hormone function, and conditions affecting the testicles and reproductive tract can impact sperm health.
Accuracy of Test Results
While a semen analysis is a common and important test for assessing fertility, several factors can impact its accuracy:
Timing of Ejaculation: It is crucial to follow your doctor's instructions regarding the duration of abstinence before the test. Waiting too long or too little can affect the results.
Collection of a Complete Sample: Missing even a fraction of the semen produced can lead to misleading results. Collecting all of the ejaculates is vital.
Timely Return of the Sample: Semen samples should be evaluated promptly after collection. Delaying the return of the sample can alter the test results.
It is also important to note that sperm production can vary based on various factors, including overall health, activities, and stress levels. This natural variation is why several samples may be collected on different days for semen analysis.
Depending on the results of a semen analysis, doctors may recommend additional tests to further evaluate fertility and identify potential causes of infertility. These tests can include imaging, hormone level testing (such as testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid function, and prolactin), and assessments for specific sperm or reproductive tract problems. In some cases, genetic testing may also be suggested to detect any genetic conditions that could affect fertility.
In conclusion, a semen analysis is a valuable tool for assessing fertility in individuals who produce sperm. By understanding the purpose of the test, what it measures, how and when to get tested, interpreting the results, and potential follow-up tests, you can gain valuable insights into your reproductive health. Discuss your semen analysis results with your doctor to determine the best course of action for achieving your fertility goals.
Note:
Normozoospermia Term: Sperm count is 40-150 million / ml
is called Normozoospermia.
Oligospermia Term: If the amount of semen sperm is
less than normal. it is called Oligospermia. Azoospermia: If the total absence is
semen sperm, it’s called Azoospermia.
Hyperzoospermia Term: If the amount of semen sperm is
increasing than normal, it's called Hyperzoospermia.
Nacrospermia Term: Semen spermatozoa is present but
total spermatozoa death is called Nacrospermia.
Haemospermia Term: Semen spermatozoa present with
large amounts of RBC and WBC cells are called Haemospermia.
