What is a semen test?

A semen test(sperm count test) is a test of the ejaculate that tells you your sperm count and 20 other paramters related to male fertility.

Semen Test should be done by men who are experiencing infertility issues.Doctors commonly advise this test in couples who are considering IVF or unable to conceive naturally.

Who should do this test?

Semen test should be done by the following groups of men :

• Infertility : You are unable to conceive with your partner, despite trying by natural methods for a year. Men who are overweight, smokers or those who drink alcohol regularly often have reduced sperm counts.
• After Vasectomy - vasectomy is a surgery done on men which prevents them from having children in the future. Semen test is often recommended to make sure that the surgery was successfull. In case os successfull vasectomy, the semen test will show complete absence of sperms.
• Couples considering IVF In couples who are being considered for IVF or assisted fertility, a semen test is essential to know whether the man's sperms are suitable for IVF treatment.

How do I know that I need a semen test?

Semen test is usually recommended by doctors for infertility. Some of the common symptoms include :

• Less Ejaculate: You notice little or nearly no ejaculate.
• Clear Ejaculate: Your ejaculate is clear or transparent, and not the normal opaque grey-white color
• Pain while ejaculation: You experience pain while ejaculation.
• Reddish/yellowish ejaculate: Your semen appears blood stained or dark yellow in color.
• Burning sensation after ejaculation : Burning sensation after ejaculation, may be a sign of infection

How is the test done?

The semen test(sperm test) involves collecting a semen sample, typically through masturbation. To do this test you need to masturbate into a sterile container, and the fluid is then tested in the lab. The test is completely painless.

To prepare for the test do the following : :

• For 2-5 days before test - Avoid Ejaculation: Refrain from ejaculation for 2 to 5 days before the test to ensure an adequate semen volume. This means avoiding any sexual activity, as well as masturbation.
• Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine and Smoking: Limit or avoid the intake of alcohol and caffeine as well as cigarette smoking for a few days before the test as they can affect sperm quality.
• Stay Well Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, which helps in producing a good semen sample.
• Avoid hormonal therapies:If you are on hormonal supplements, try to avoid these for a week before providing the sample.

To collect the sample follow this procedure:

• Contact the lab and request a sample container:Semen test is only available for home collection. Book a home sample collection by calling the lab or booking online. A technician will visit you with a sterile container
• Label sample container:Once you receive the sample container, write your name on it, as well as the time of giving the sample
• Clean your external genitalia:Clean your external genitalia, penis tip and genital area with a moist cloth or tissue paper. Make sure not to use soaps or creams or lotions of any kind.
• Ejaculate into the container:Ejaculate into the container. Make sure not to add water, detergent or any other substance into it. Do not try to increase the volume or amount of the sample with water, as it will affect your results, causing an artificially lower sperm count.
• Hand over the container to the technician:The lab technician who delivers the container to your home, will wait for you to provide the sample.

What will be included in the report?

The semen test report includes 22 parameters listed below :

• Round Cells::Round cells include cells the fight infections, as well as other types of cells. These are normally present in the semen. There is no clinically defined normal range for round cells, but the lab will report a count higher than 1 million/ml as abnrmal.
• Red Blood Cell Count::A few red blood cells are also normal in semen.
• Parasites::Parasites like filaria, may be seen in seminal fluid. They should not be normally present. (Normal Range - Absent)
• Aggregation::Sperms are sometimes clumped together in the semen. While this may be normal in small amounts, huge clumps of dead sperms are not normal. There is no clinically defined normal range, but the lab will report large numbers of aggregates as abnormal.
• Agglutination::Sometimes live sperms get trapped in other cells and debris in the semen. This prevents them from moving. These live sperms, clumped together, are called agglutinates. Few agglutinats are normal but a large number is considered abnormal. (Normal Range - 1 agglutinate/hpf)
• Sperm Concentration::The number of sperms per ml of the ejaculate - expressed in millions/ml (Normal Range - more than 15 million/ml)
• Sperm Count::The total number of sperms in the ejaculate - expresed in millions.(Normal Range : more than 39 million/ml)
• Vitality - Percentage Live Forms::Not all sperms in the semen are alive. Vitality is the percentage of live sperms.(Normal Range : more than 58%)
• Progressive - Motile::A percentage of the sperms which is fast moving or shows zig-zag movement. (Normal Range : more than 32%)
• Non-Progressive - Motile::A percentage of the sperms which does not show rapid movement.
• Total Motile::The simple sum of all moving sperms. (Normal Range : more than 40%)
• Non-Motile::The percentage of sperms that are not moving at all. (Normal Range : less than 60%)
• Normal Forms::The percentage of sperms whose shape is normal. (Normal Range : more than 4%)
• Abnormal Forms::Percentage of sperms whose shape is not normal. A normal sperm has a head, a mid-piece and a long tail. Abnormal forms show changes in these characteristics.
• Semen Fructose:: Tests for the presence of fructose in the semen sample. Fructose is required as a source of energy for the sperms to move in the female genital tract, to the egg. If fructose is missing, the sperms will not be able to move adequately. (Normal Range - Positive)
• Color::Semen fluid should normally be gray or white in color
• Volume::The volume or total quantity of the semen fluid.
• pH::Indicates the pH level of the semen sample.
• Viscosity::Semen viscosity should normally be around 2cm. A very highly viscous sample may make it harder for the liquifaction process.
• Liquefaction Time::The time taken for the semen sample to liquefy. Semen when initially produced has a jelly like consistency.
• Days of Abstinence:: Records the days of abstinence before the sample was collected.

Summary