Semen Analysis Test Procedure Step by Step

Generally semen should be tested after an abstinence period of minimum 2 days to maximum 7 days. The expert who performs this test is called an Andrologist. It is highly recommended that he/she follows the WHO criteria for semen analysis. The andrologist will examine your semen to assess the following parameters:

Volume of semen:

Normal semen volume of a single ejaculate should be at least 1.5 ml.

Sperm Count:

Sperm count means the number of sperms present in your semen. 1 ml of semen should contain at least 15 million sperms. A concentration less than that is called Oligozoospermia.

Colour:

A normal semen sample appears opalescent grey. Any deviation from this to red or yel-low may indicate presence of blood, infection etc.

pH:

Normal pH for semen is around 7.2. A higher or lower pH indicates infection or contam-ination respectively.

Morphology:

This refers to the form, shape and size of the sperm. A normal sperm has got an oval shaped head, a neck or middle piece and a single tail. To produce a good embryo all these parts must bear a perfect shape. In a normal semen sample at least 4% of sperms must bear normal morphology. If the value is less than that then the condition is called Teratozoospermia.

Motility:

Motility indicates what proportion of sperms in your semen can move. A man with nor-mal reproductive potential should have at least 40% motile sperms. A value less than that, is called Asthenozoospermia. This is a very important parameter as only motile sperms could complete the journey to fertilize an ovum.