| One of the first tests that should be conducted before seeking any infertility treatment is a Semen Analysis. Often times, a family physician or primary care doctor can order a semen analysis and it is routinely covered by most insurance companies. Please make sure to check with your insurance to ensure coverage. |
| Semen Analysis of the male to determine if the man is producing sperm in his ejaculate. -A comprehensive semen analysis is one of the appropriate first steps if a couple is having trouble conceiving. In 60% of all couples experiencing infertility, a male factor is involved. It is primarily a male factor in 40% of these couples and in an additional 20%, it is a combination of male and female factors. Because a comprehensive semen analysis is noninvasive, it is often the first test in any couple's evaluation. The testes take three months to produce and mature sperm and thus there is often a 4-6 month delay between treatment of the man and resulting changes in the semen analysis. Since the evaluation of the woman may take several months, it is recommended that a comprehensive and accurate semen analysis be performed at the outset. Italicized is Courtesy of M.A.Z.E Laboratories. -The results of the semen analysis will most times provide a definite answer as to whether or not there is a MALE infertility factor. |
| SEMEN ANALYSIS IN HUMANS |
| WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION'S NORMAL RANGES FOR SEMEN ANALYSIS |
| Semen Characteristics |
WHO-1987 |
WHO-1992 |
| Volume (ml) |
> or = 2 |
> or = 2 |
| pH |
7.2-8.0 |
7.2-8.0 |
| Sperm concentration (M/ml) |
> or = 20 |
> or = 20 |
| Total sperm count (M/ejaculate) |
> or = 40 |
> or = 40 |
| Morphology (% normal) |
> or = 50 |
> or = 30 |
| Vitality (% live) |
> or = 75 |
> or = 75 |
| WBC (M/ml) |
<1.0 |
<1.0 |
| Immunobead test (%sperm with beads) |
< or = 10 |
<20 |
| MAR test (%sperm with RBCs) |
<10 |
<10 |
| Motility Within 1h of ejaculation |
||
| class a (%) |
> or = 25 |
> or = 25 |
| classes a and b (%) |
> or = 50 |
> or = 50 |
| Neutral alpha-glucosidase (mU/ejaculate) |
N/A |
> or = 20 |
| Total zinc (µmol/ejaculate) |
N/A |
> or = 2.4 |
| Total citric acid (µmol/ejaculate) |
N/A |
> or = 52 |
| Total acid phosphatase (U/ejaculate) |
N/A |
> or = 200 |
| Total Fructose (µmol/ejaculate) |
N/A |
> or = 13 |
| Semen Analysis |
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