Semen Analysis
The primary diagnostic test aimed at checking the malefertility is SPERM TEST (SEMINOGRAM). Testing involves assessing seminological concentration, motility and morphology of spermatozoa and also seminal fluid evaluation.
Routine examination includes:
- evaluation of semen characteristics- volume, time to liquidate
- microscopic evaluation of sperm-sperm count, sperm type, the percentage of live sperm
- microscopic evaluation of semen preparation after its staining-construction of sperm
- biochemical studies of semen-the concentration of fructose, citrate, phosphate, fructose consumption over time
Semen analysis identifies causes behind the inability to have offspring by a man, and it is also a starting point for further precise proceedings with a couple.
PREPARATION FOR A TEST
Before testing, a man should keep a sexual abstinence for 3-5 days; should avoid stress, drugs, and excessive physical activity. In the event of an infection with a high fever or food poisoning you should reschedule your appointment for at least a month.
The test material, the seed, is obtained by masturbation. It is very important to make sure that all the semen comes from one and first ejaculation, and that its whole volume is placed in a special container. The container (dry and sterile) should be heated to a temperature of a human body (eg. hand heating); otherwise, the sperm in it may begin to decay and lose its vitality, which in the end may distort the final result of the test. In exceptional cases, and after consultation with a doctor, semen may be collected at a house and then transported to the labolatory by a patient himself.
REQUIRED INFORMATIONS
During the test evaluation visit, you should inform about the following:
- past or current illnesses (such as hypertension, diabetes)
- infectious and sexually transmitted diseases
- possible testicles' injuries
- drugs and medicines being taken
- exposure to harmful factors, such as high temperatures, ionizing radiation and electromagnetic fields.
If the test shows no pathological changes in the semen, there is no need to repeat it. If irregularities are found, the test is repeated 2-3 times at intervals of not more than 2-3 months and no shorter than 2-3 weeks.
Infertility is an illness that affects a man and a woman together. If the result of a man's semen analysis diverge from the norm, that does not necessarily mean that a couple is unable to have children in a natural way. The results need to be combined with woman's results since her reproductive potential can significantly reduce weeker sperm' characteristics. In practice, only 3-5% of men with detected semen abnormalities is really infertile- in other cases we are taking about reduced fertility, which if appropriately treated, is really not a problem to grow a family (insemination, in vitro fertilization).
TYPES OF SEMEN ANALYSIS:
1. Life microscopic analysis
2. Computer testing (CASA)
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3. Fragmentation of sperm' DNA
