{"id":4380,"date":"2024-08-16T06:12:35","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T05:12:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/neww\/semen-analysis-what-is-measured\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T11:19:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T10:19:13","slug":"semen-analysis-what-is-measured","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exseedhealth.com\/fr\/semen-analysis-what-is-measured\/","title":{"rendered":"Analyse du sperme masculin - Qu'est-ce qui est mesur\u00e9 ?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A male semen analysis is helpful when trying to get pregnant. Experts estimate that male factors are to blame in up to 40% of couples who experience fertility issues. A male semen analysis is a valuable tool for couples as they begin their fertility journey.
\nAs a result, many couples find it extremely helpful for the man to take a sperm test at the earliest sign of difficulty in trying to conceive. Compared to many of the female fertility tests, a male semen analysis is non-invasive, relatively inexpensive, and produces results quickly and accurately.
\nUsing the ExSeed Home Sperm Test<\/a> to check your sperm quality, you can get the results on many of the same important parameters analyzed in the clinic using a microscope.
\n\"Semen
\nFig 1: <\/strong>Male Semen Analysis with ExSeed Health<\/p>\n

What is measured in a male semen analysis?<\/h2>\n

Firstly, semen is the fluid a man ejaculates during orgasm. The sperm cells within the semen are the cells that can fertilize the woman\u2019s egg. For most semen tests, the man masturbates into a container, which is then delivered to a laboratory for testing. Almost all laboratories performing sperm tests will evaluate the following semen and sperm parameters:<\/p>\n

Semen Volume<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Semen volume is the total quantity of ejaculated fluid. A normal amount is between 2 and 5 milliliters. Hypospermia<\/strong> is when the volume is less than 1.5 ml, which is due to for example hormonal abnormalities or ductal blockages. Hyperspermia<\/strong> is a large volume of more than 5.5 ml.<\/p>\n

Sperm Count<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sperm count<\/a> is determined by looking at the semen sample under a microscope. It is a measurement of how many million sperm cells there are in each milliliter of semen. In the literature it is also called \u201csperm concentration\u201d, and you can check it yourself at home with a sperm concentration test<\/strong><\/a>.
\nA normal sperm count<\/a> is 15 million or more sperm cells per milliliter. Oligospermia <\/strong>is when there is below 15 million sperm cells per milliliter. Azoospermia <\/strong>is if there are no sperm cells at all, see Figure 2.<\/p>\n

Sperm Motility: Sperm movement<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sperm motility<\/a> is the forward swimming motion of sperm. For a sperm to fertilize the egg, it must travel quickly through the female reproductive system. This requires a strong swimming action. The World Health Organization (WHO) grades motility as follows [1];
\nProgressive motility (PR): <\/strong>spermatozoa moving actively, either linearly or in a large circle, regardless of speed.
\nNon-progressive motility (NP)<\/strong>: all other motility patterns with absent progression, e.g. swimming in small circles, the flagellar force hardly displacing the head, or only observing a flagellar beat.
\nImmotility (IM):<\/strong> no movement.
\nIt’s normal to have more than 32% of progressively motile sperm cells (PR) or 40% as a combination of progressive motile and non-progressive motile (PR and NP). Asthenozoospermia <\/strong>(see figure 2) refers to a condition where a great portion of sperms in a semen sample are immotile or have reduced motility, compared to the WHO reference values.<\/p>\n

Total Motile Sperm Count (TMSC)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This refers to the total number of moving sperm cells in the entire ejaculate.
\nIt is calculated by multiplying the volume (ml) by the concentration (million sperm\/ml) by the motility (% moving). Ideally, the TMSC should be above 45 million sperm cells.<\/p>\n

\"What<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fig 2: <\/strong>What an advanced male semen analysis can identify in a sperm sample<\/p>\n

Fertility clinics consider the 4 semen parameters of volume, concentration, motility and TMSC as enough for an initial sperm quality assessment. However, if they discover abnormalities or if infertility persists, one may go to a clinic for a more comprehensive analysis.
\nSuch analysis may include:<\/p>\n

Sperm Size and Shape \u2013 Morphology<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Also known as sperm morphology<\/strong><\/a>. Abnormal sperm cells may be unable to move normally or to penetrate an egg. As a result, too many sperm cells of abnormal size and shape can pose a significant fertility issue.
\nMost laboratories will evaluate the sperm cells based on the “Kruger” criteria provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the Kruger criteria, a normal sperm cell must have an oval shape with a smooth outline. At least 4% of the sperms must have an oval head with a connecting mid-piece and a long straight tail.
\nTake a look at figure 3 to see how a normal sperm cell should look. Teratozoospermia<\/strong> is when under 4% of sperm cells in a sample are normal.
\n\"Sperm
\nFig 3: <\/strong>A normal-shaped sperm cell (far left), and abnormal sperm cells (all other cells to the right).<\/p>\n

Color and viscosity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A comprehensive semen analysis often includes an evaluation of the color<\/a> and viscosity (thickness) of the seminal fluid<\/a>, as well as an analysis of the time until the semen sample liquifies. The color<\/a> should be grey-opalescent. If it appears red-brown, it may be an indication of red blood cells in the ejaculate (Haemospermia<\/strong>). It\u2019s normal for the semen to liquefy in no more than 20 minutes. If it doesn\u2019t liquefy, it may indicate the presence of an infection of the seminal vesicles and\/or the prostate.
\n\"Semen<\/strong>
\nFig 4: <\/strong>More parameters measured in a sperm test<\/p>\n

Semen pH<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Semen is typically a slightly alkaline substance, with a normal pH of 7.2-8.0. An abnormally high or low semen pH can cause sperm death. It can also impact the ability of the sperm to swim quickly and\/or effectively penetrate the egg.<\/p>\n

Sperm Vitality<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sperm vitality relates to how many sperm cells are alive and intact. Dyeing the semen with color determines sperm vitality. The dye stains the dead sperm cells since they are not intact anymore. The percentage of live sperm should be above 58% to consider it normal. If it’s below that level, the diagnosis is Necrozoospermia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

White blood cell infiltration<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s normal for semen to contain some white blood cells. However, many white blood cells in a sample may indicate the presence of an infection, which can decrease semen quality. It’s normal when semen contains below 1 million white blood cells\/ml. On the other hand, Leukospermia<\/strong> is when it’s above that.<\/p>\n

Presence of zinc, fructose, and glucosidase in the semen<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The accessory glands release a range of different nutrients in the male reproductive system. Some of these include zinc, fructose and glucosidase. In order to consider a semen sample as normal, the markers should be above a certain limit:
\nZinc: \u22652.4 \u00b5mol\/ejaculate
\nFructose: \u2265 13 \u00b5mol\/ejaculate
\nGlucosidase \u226520 \u00b5U\/ejaculate.<\/p>\n

What do we need to assess semen quality?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A sufficient first line sperm quality test needs to assess the following:<\/p>\n