What are the normal semen analysis results?

A semen analysis is a simple test commonly used to evaluate male fertility, especially for couples who are having difficulty conceiving.

The article is professionally consulted by an IVF Specialist. Tran Hue Tran - Reproductive Support Center - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital

A semen analysis (or semen analysis) is a test of freshly ejaculated semen, usually collected by manual self-stimulation (masturbation). It is an essential, simple part of the test for men.
test that analyzes semen with sperm present and helps determine if there is a problem with the quantity or quality of the sperm. Sperm count, shape, and movement are measured under a microscope.

What does a semen analysis show? Dissolution. viscosity. Semen volume Sperm count Motility Sperm shape (morphology) Percentage of viable sperm, pH, white blood cell count in semen.

The patient will receive a clean, sterile sample vial. After that, the patient will collect semen by masturbation, then collect all the collected semen into the given bottle, do not collect semen from a regular condom (with lubricant, spermicide). In case the husband cannot masturbate, a specialized condom can be used for intercourse (no lubricant, no spermicide) Before taking the sample, the doctor will ask not to have sex. sex for a certain period of time, usually at least 48 hours (2 days).
The length of time that the patient is asked to abstain from sexual intercourse can vary, however, it should not exceed 7 days from the last sex. In cases where samples cannot be collected at the testing site, it is possible collected at home or elsewhere.. However, the sample must be stored at a temperature of about 20-37oC and immediately transported to the laboratory within 1 hour from the time of ejaculation..

Lysis, viscosity The semen after release will liquefy itself at 37oC, this phenomenon is called lysis. Long or no lysis time is usually due to prostate abnormalities. Normal lysis time is about 15 minutes.
Viscosity aka viscosity. Semen with a high viscosity makes it difficult to assess sperm motility and density.
Volume of Semen Semen consists of sperm and seminal fluid. .. Most of the semen is produced by the accessory gonads, namely the seminal vesicles, the prostate gland. The remainder is secreted by the testes, epididymis, and bulbar urethra. Measure the amount of ejaculated semen as part of a semen analysis test. Men usually ejaculate about 2-5 ml of semen.
Sperm count Or called sperm density. Counting the number of spermatozoa per unit volume of ejaculated semen is part of semen analyses. Sperm density is the number of sperm in 1 ml of semen.
Sperm Motility The ability of sperm to swim, the natural motility of sperm. The number of motile spermatozoa versus non-motile spermatozoa was recorded as a percentage of the total sperm count.
Sperm morphology Sperm were determined to be of normal shape when the head, neck, midsection and tail were all normal. The normal sperm head is an oval head with clear contours, the head pole occupies 40-70% of the head volume, without vacuoles. The midsection is considered normal when tapered, aligned with the head shaft. The tail should be straight, even, tapered than the middle, not coiled, 10 times longer than the head length. All sperm that are not shaped as described above are considered abnormal sperm.

Semen PH The pH is measured to determine if semen is acidic or alkaline. Semen is usually slightly alkaline. Acidified semen combined with a low semen volume may be due to a blockage in the vas deferens or even vas deferens/vasectomy.
Foreign cells Semen sometimes has the presence of non-sperm cells, some of which are associated with pathology. Foreign cells also known as round cells include epithelial cells, white blood cells, immature spermatozoa, and sometimes red blood cells. Evaluation of anti-sperm antibodies in semen
This is an important test, usually performed in specialized laboratories using methods recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). Anti-sperm antibodies can occur in some men when the immune system treats its own sperm as a foreign agent and produces antibodies against it. Anti-sperm antibodies often appear after varicocele surgery, immunosuppression, acute and chronic prostatitis.... Antibodies that adhere to the sperm body will reduce sperm motility . Sperm get stuck in clusters, making it difficult to pass through the mucus in a woman's cervix. Also, during fertilization, sperm and egg recognize each other by substances on the surface (receptors). If the antibody is attached to the sperm, the receptors are covered with the antibody and prevent the sperm from attaching to the egg.

Some minimum values ​​(lower reference limits) of normal semen according to WHO 2010:
Dissolution time: At first ejaculation, semen contains jelly-like particles, but after about 15 minutes they will dissolve (liquefy) completely. If more than 60 minutes of semen still does not dissolve, it is a sign of abnormality. Normal semen has semen pH: ≥ 7.2 The volume of semen for one ejaculation must be 1.5 ml or more. Total sperm count: ≥ 39 million. Sperm density: ≥15 million Mobility: ≥ 40% of sperm must be motile or ≥ 32% of motile spermatozoa. Normal shape: ≥4% of sperms are of normal shape. Percentage of live sperm: ≥ 58% live sperm or more Foreign cells: In addition to sperm, there are other cells in semen. Foreign cells are round cells, which can be present in semen at a density of ≤ 1 million cells/ml. If the semen analysis results are normal, you can rest assured. If the results are abnormal, the test will need to be repeated 2-3 times in 2-3 months to confirm whether the abnormality is persistent.
It should be further noted that a normal person's semen analysis can have abnormal results at different test intervals, so a single semen test is of little significance. Because of the natural variability in sperm count and quality, many doctors order two or three samples to be examined every 1-3 weeks.
Measurement of all parts of a semen sample gives the doctor some hint as to the level of fertility. A low sperm count does not mean there is no chance of conception. Some people with a low sperm count but with normal sperm motility and shape can still conceive.

Customers can go to Vinmec Times City's Fertility Support Center for examination and specific instructions on semen analysis as well as other male problems. Vinmec Reproductive Support Center is the leading modern center in Vietnam, built and applied a treatment process that coordinates comprehensive examination, combining both male and female obstetrics and gynecology to offer the optimal plan for each patient. each patient case.
In addition to advanced reproductive support methods, a team of good doctors in the country and the world, with prestige and long experience in the field of infertility have a decisive role in the success of IVF Vinmec:
Dr. Dr. To Minh Huong - Head of Clinical Reproductive Support Unit, Vinmec Times City International Hospital. With more than 30 years of experience working in the field of Assisted Reproduction. Th.S.BS Le Thi Phuong Lan - Head of Reproductive Support Unit, Lab, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital. With 30 years of experience working in the field of Assisted Reproduction. The center is equipped with a system of modern facilities and equipment, ensuring the best conditions for embryo culture such as the ISO 14644-1 international standard clean room system, Labo is designed with one-way, pressure Positive force blowing clean air and mini incubator system.