What is semen analysis?
Semen analysis is the first test or an analysis procedure that is done in the management of male infertility. In this preparatory assessment, doctor looks at certain physical characteristics like quantity of the ejaculate, its pH, time taken to liquefy & levels of fructose.
Microscopic examination helps to measure the count or the concentration, motility of the sperm (forward), morphological characteristics of the sperm (size and shape) & concentration of white blood cells (WBC). This analysis gives an idea to the clinician to proceed further and manage accordingly.
Out of all the fertility diagnostic tests which are done to find out the exact cause of infertility, a semen analysis is the most basic testing of the male partner. Normal semen analysis with a good number of actively motile sperms is of utmost importance for natural conception.
The semen analysis helps the doctors To determine the shape of sperm i.e. Sperm morphology. Normal-shaped sperms are most likely to fertilize the woman’s egg than abnormal sperms. To analyze the movement of sperms i.e. Sperm motility Approximate Amount of sperms in the semen sample i.e. Sperm Count. A sperm count above 39 million is considered to be a normal sperm count in men. The decreasing amount of sperms in male partners lowers the chances of natural conception in couples.
Why is it done or when to undergo a semen analysis?
A semen analysis will help a doctor to determine the following things.
1. To determine the exact nature of the type of male factor contributing to the problem of
infertility.
2. To determine if a man has a low sperm count.
3. It also helps to determine whether a man has a dysfunctional reproductive system.
4. It can also be used to monitor the success of vasectomy/ sterilization procedures. This test
helps to make sure that there are no sperms present in the semen which can fertilize an egg.
In such cases, a semen analysis is done once a month for the first three months to check whether
any sperms are present.
How is it performed?
Semen analysis is performed through various steps right from the collection of the semen sample to sending it to the laboratory for further tests.
Semen analysis includes a series of processes which are as follows:
a.) Doctors will ask the man to ejaculate in a collection cup in a private room or sometimes
samples can also be given from home. Some clinics have a provision of providing the patients
with a special condom that helps in the collection of semen.
b.) Physicians may ask you not to have sex or masturbate for 2-5 days before the test to make
sure the sperm count is correct.
c.) Other methods of semen collection are electrostimulation or vibro stimulation. Patients who
have got neurological injury may use other ways of semen analysis.
Computer-assisted sperm analysis
Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) is an automatic or semi-automatic semen analysis technique. CASA provides fast, accurate, and objectively repeatable results of semen. Any kind of observer bias can be eliminated using this advanced technique. It analyzes the sperm basing on image analysis and tracks cell movement on a tablet/computer.
The digital system provides immediate and objective results of motility and concentration in a detailed report. It also provides a precise morphological and morphometric analysis of each spermatozoid. This equipment can also perform some specialized tests like sperm DNA fragmentation index & sperm vitality.
