Testing the ejaculate for the number of sperm, the sperm’s mobility, and the amount of fructose. The purpose is to determine the cause of infertility.
A common test performed in evaluating infertility problems.
A laboratory test to determine the fertility of a man. Semen is the thick, white fluid containing sperm cells that is expelled from the penis during orgasm. Semen analysis is performed to determine whether an abnormality in the semen is the reason a couple cannot conceive a child or to check on the effectiveness of male sterilization surgery (vasectomy). A sample of semen is obtained either by self-stimulation (masturbation) and ejaculation into a sterile container or by sexual intercourse using a special condom. The semen is then analyzed for its quantity, the number of sperm cells it contains, the movement of sperm cells (motility), and its chemistry, such as the presence of the sugar fructose or the time it takes the semen to coagulate. This analysis can tell the physician whether the man is producing enough healthy sperm cells to make pregnancy possible. In some cases, semen chemistry may indicate whether certain structures that help to produce and transport semen inside the body are blocked or damaged. Usually a man giving a semen sample for analysis is instructed to refrain from ejaculating for 2 to 5 days beforehand. If the sample is collected away from the laboratory, it must be kept out of direct sunlight and delivered to the laboratory within 1 hour. Since semen content varies each time a man ejaculates, semen analysis is usually performed on at least three samples during a 2-month period to obtain accurate results.
The examination of sperm concentration, morphology (shape), and motility (movement ability) is conducted to explore male infertility. Additionally, it is carried out approximately 12 weeks following a vasectomy to confirm the absence of sperm in the semen.