Infertility is increasingly becoming a cause of concern for couples who have been trying to conceive and have been unsuccessful. Despite the common belief that infertility is a female problem, it may also be caused by the quantity and quality of the male partner’s sperm. In order to ascertain the potential contributing factors to infertility, your fertility specialist will analyze your partner’s semen sample.
Don’t know how to read a sperm analysis report in an easy way? Well, at the end of this article, you will surely get the answer.
When a couple struggles to get pregnant even after trying for 8 to 12 months, doctors recommend that the male partner undergo a sperm analysis, as it helps the infertility specialist determine if the male is infertile or not.
What is Sperm Analysis?
A semen or sperm analysis is a test that is conducted on a male’s gametes to analyse the health and viability of their sperm in order to determine their sperm’s fertility. The test looks at the number of sperm discharged, the shape and motility of the sperm, and whether or not the patient has a low sperm count or sperm dysfunction.
Why is a Sperm Analysis Report Necessary?
A semen analysis, also known as sperm analysis, might be necessary if:
- Unsuccessful in conceiving even after trying for more than a year
- To confirm whether the vasectomy was successful
For What Purpose is it Utilized?
A sperm analysis helps your healthcare practitioner determine whether there is an issue with your sperm or semen. This test uses a number of metrics to examine your sperm:
- The total amount of sperm in a sample
- sperm quantity in a milliliter of semen
- percentage of sperm that are travelling efficiently, either in large circles or in a straight line
- percentage of sperm with a typical shape
- Your semen’s pH indicates how acidic it is.
- The time to liquefaction is the rate at which your semen transforms into a fluid.
Any abnormal values in the reading may indicate infertility.
As mentioned above, your doctor may advise you to undergo the test in order to determine the success of a vasectomy. A vasectomy is a birth control procedure that involves surgery on the male reproductive system. A vasectomy removes the tubes that carry sperm from your testicles (testes) so that they cannot enter your semen and cause pregnancy. Eight to sixteen weeks after a vasectomy, a semen analysis is usually conducted to make sure your semen is free of sperm.
Sperm Analysis Report Normal Range
A normal sperm report consists of the following:-
| Parameter | Normal Range |
| Semen Volume(quantity of semen) | 1.5-7.6 ml |
| Sperm Count | 15-259 million per ml of semen |
| Motility | Score of 3-4 |
| Morphology(sperm shape and size) | 4-48 % of sperm should have normal size and shape. |
| pH Level | 7.2-7.8 |
| Liquefaction Time | 15-30 minutes |
So, if you have recently undergone a sperm or semen analysis test, then you might be wondering what the terms in that report mean, and how to determine if you are fertile or infertile. Don’t worry, now we will understand how to check sperm count report.
Easiest Way to Read a Sperm Analysis Report
As soon as you are done with your sperm analysis, you are provided with the report within 24 hours to one week. Apart from this, if we talk about the easy way to read the sperm analysis report, there are many factors that determine I you are fertile or not. Let’s take a look.
- Volume of Ejaculated Semen
The volume of semen for normal results should be higher than 2 millilitres. A low semen volume could suggest a low number of sperm to fertilize an egg. An increased fluid volume could also indicate that the percentage of sperm present is diluted.
Reasons for low semen volume are frequent sexual intercourse, incomplete collection, or ejaculatory duct obstruction.
- pH Level of Sperm
A normal pH level should be between 7.2 to 7.8. If your report indicates a pH level higher than 8, then it means that you have an infection. However, semen’s pH level of less than 7 indicates a blockage in the male’s ejaculatory ducts.
- Spermatozoa Motility
More than 50% of sperm must travel normally one hour after ejaculation for a typical outcome. Because sperm must travel to fertilise an egg, sperm movement, or motility, is critical to fertility. Sperm that move quickly and forward are considered healthy.
In the motility section of the sperm analysis report, there is the term “sperm count” or “sperm density.” This indicates the total number of sperm present in your semen. Generally, if your sperm densities range from 15 million to greater than 200 million sperm per milliliter of semen, it’s considered that you have a good sperm count.
- Morphology
Sperm morphology represents the size and shape of sperm, which, when faulty affects conception and makes fertilization of a female’s egg more difficult. A sperm should have an oval head and an extended tail.
However, when sperm is distorted like having a bent tail, an extra head, etc, it means the sperm has no fertility potential. Typically, if the sperm sample is 10 to 12% normal sperm, then it’s said that your sperm have fertility potential.
Have Abnormal Results? Here is What That Means
If your sperm analysis report depicts abnormal results, then making your partner pregnant would be really hard, typically. Abnormal results indicate that you might be having infertility, an infection, hormonal imbalances, or a disease such as diabetes. Your doctor might also recommend you to have another semen analysis in order to be extra sure.
If you are looking to consult an infertility specialist, then choose us. We at Ferticity Fertility Clinics will do our best to provide you with the best infertility counselling and treatments at affordable costs without hassle.
FAQs
1. What is a healthy sperm test result?
According to WHO reference values, a healthy sperm test result must include,
- Volume of 1.5mL or more
- At least a concentration of 15 million sperm per milliliter
- >=40% motility
- >=4% morphology
2. How do I read my sperm analysis test report?
A good sperm analysis report examines the semen for key parameters like sperm quality and quantity, motility, concentration, and morphology. Consult our male infertility experts for a deeper understanding of your semen test report.
3. What is a microscopic examination of semen?
Sperm analysis is a key part of the microscopic examination of semen. An expert lab technician assesses a sample of semen under a microscope. A normal semen test report consists of the number of sperm and how well they move, their shape and structure, motility, morphology, and concentration. All of these play a major role in assessing infertility in males.
4. What is the purpose of a semen culture test?
A semen culture test is done to diagnose bacterial or fungal infections in the male reproductive tract. The tests also help in determining the further course of treatment if the test reports are positive.
5. How to read semen analysis report?
A semen normal report consists of all key parameters, along with their normal ranges. You must not panic if a few of the values don’t fall in the normal range. It doesn’t necessarily indicate infertility. Consult a doctor for a clearer understanding.