Semen Analysis Test
What is Semen Analysis Test?
Semen analysis is the male fertility test. Semen analysis test analyzes the health and viability of a man’s sperm. Semen is the fluid containing sperm that’s released during ejaculation. A semen analysis measures three major factors of sperm health:
- the number of sperm
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the shape of the sperm
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the movement of the sperm
Why Semen Analysis Test in DR UK Diagnostics?
DR. UK Diagnostic centre providing semen analysis test facility in Iyyappanthangal, Chennai. Semen analysis test is performed by automated sperm quality analyzer. Test results available within 30 minutes. Home collection also available. call 9791094258 for semen analysis test.
- Automated Test
- Reporting time 30 minutes
- Home Collection
Why undergo semen analysis?
Test for male infertility
A semen analysis is often recommended when couples are having problems getting pregnant. The test will help a doctor determine if a man is infertile. The analysis will also help determine if low sperm count or sperm dysfunction is the reason behind infertility.
Test for vasectomy success
Men who have had a vasectomy undergo semen analysis to make sure no sperm are in their semen. In a vasectomy, the tubes that send sperm from the testicles to the penis are cut and sealed as a permanent form of birth control. After a vasectomy, doctors often recommend that men take a sperm analysis once a month for three months to ensure that sperm is no longer present in their semen.
How to prepare for semen analysis
Your doctor will let you know what you should do in preparation for the semen analysis. It’s very important to follow these instructions for accurate results.
To get the best sample:
- Avoid ejaculation for 24 to 72 hours before the test.
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Should not have sexual activity 2-5 days before the test.
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Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and drugs 2 - 5 days before the test.
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Stop taking any herbal medications.
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Avoid any hormone medications.
How is semen analysis conducted?
You’ll need to provide your doctor with a semen sample for a semen analysis. There are four main ways to collect a semen sample:
- masturbation
- sex with a condom
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sex with withdrawal before ejaculation
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ejaculation stimulated by electricity
Masturbation is considered the preferred way to get a clean sample.
Getting a good sample
Two main factors are crucial to having a good testing sample. First, the
semen must be kept at body temperature. If it gets too warm or too cold, the results will be inaccurate. Second, the semen must be
delivered to the testing facility within 30 to 60 minutes of leaving the body.
Test interference
Some factors can negatively affect the test, including:
- semen coming into contact with spermicide
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taking the test when you’re ill or stressed
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lab technician error
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contamination of the sample
Testing your semen at home
Home semen tests are available. However, they only test for sperm count. They don’t analyze sperm motility or shape. Results for at-home tests are usually available within 10 minutes. A normal sperm count (above 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen) from a home test doesn’t necessarily mean that a man is fertile, since it doesn’t consider all the possible causes of male infertility. If you are concerned about your fertility, it’s best to get a lab test done by a medical professional. This will give you a more comprehensive evaluation of your fertility.
What are normal results?
When a doctor reviews sperm analysis test results, there are many factors to consider. An analysis after vasectomy looks for the presence of sperm, but the analysis to look for fertility issues is much more in depth. Your doctor will take each of the following results into account:
Sperm shape
A normal result for sperm shape is that more than 50 percent of sperm are normally shaped. If a man has greater than 50 percent of sperm that are abnormally shaped, this reduces his fertility. A laboratory may identify abnormalities in the sperm’s head, midsection, or tail. It’s also possible the sperm could be immature and therefore not able to effectively fertilize an egg.
Movement
For a normal result, more than 50 percent of sperm must move normally an hour after ejaculation. Sperm movement, or motility, is important to fertility because sperm must travel to fertilize an egg. An automated system analyzes the sperm for movement and rates them on a scale of 0 to 4. A score of 0 means the sperm are not moving, and a score of 3 or 4 represents good movement.
pH
A pH level should be between 7.2 and 7.8 to achieve a normal result. A pH level higher than 8.0 could indicate the donor has an infection. A result less than 7.0 could indicate the specimen is contaminated or that the man’s ejaculatory ducts are blocked.
Volume
The volume of semen for a normal result should be greater than 2 milliliters. A low semen volume could indicate a low amount of sperm to fertilize an egg. An excess fluid volume could also mean the amount of sperm present is diluted.
Liquefaction
It should take 15 to 30 minutes before semen liquefies. While semen is initially thick, its ability to liquefy, or turn to a watery consistency, helps sperm to move. If semen does not liquefy in 15 to 30 minutes, fertility could be affected.
Sperm count
The sperm count in a normal semen analysis should be between 20 million to over 200 million. This result is also known as sperm density. If this number is low, conceiving can be more difficult.
Appearance
The appearance should be whitish to gray and opalescent. Semen that has a red-brown tint could indicate the presence of blood, while a yellow tint could indicate jaundice or be a medication side effect.
What do abnormal results mean?
Abnormal sperm will have trouble reaching and penetrating eggs, making conception difficult. Abnormal results could indicate the following:
- infertility
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infection
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hormonal imbalance
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disease, such as diabetes
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gene defects
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exposure to radiation
If your results come back at abnormal levels, your doctor will probably suggest that you take additional tests. These tests include:
- genetic tests
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hormone testing
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urinalysis after ejaculation
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taking a tissue sample from your testicles
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anti-sperm immune cells testing
