Methods, precautions, and interpretation of semen analysis results

What is a semen analysis?

Semen analysis is primarily used to assess male fertility. Broadly speaking, semen analysis includes...

This includes routine semen analysis, experiments selected by the laboratory personnel under specific circumstances, and research experiments.

There are three categories. The latter two are not used very often; what we usually refer to as a semen analysis is routine semen analysis.

Analysis. It includes computer-aided sperm analysis and sperm morphology analysis, and is the basic component of semen analysis.

Project. While routine semen analysis cannot directly reflect fertilization capacity, it is a measure of fertilization ability under physiological conditions.

The foundation of fertility is a crucial standard for determining whether sperm quality meets the required standards, and it has been widely applied clinically.

Further auxiliary analyses of semen can help clarify the cause.

Semen analysis obviously involves collecting semen samples. How is semen collected? It can be done through masturbation or by using an electric semen pump.

The rubbing technique induces ejaculation. The best time to collect semen is in the morning. Before collecting semen, wash your hands and genitals with warm water.

The penis, especially the glans, should be thoroughly cleaned. Semen is ejaculated in a specific order: the initial portion mainly...

The first portion originates from the prostate and epididymis, containing a large amount of sperm; the last portion comes from the seminal vesicles, which are mainly fluid.

Composition. Therefore, the entire semen sample should be collected, without omitting any part, especially the initial portion.

Because the withdrawal method easily loses the initial portion of semen, it cannot be used to collect semen.

The container for semen should be clean, sterile, and dry, and the temperature of the container should be at room temperature before collection.

The bottle should not be too large, but the opening should not be too small to prevent semen from being ejaculated outside the bottle; it should also be...

Label the item and record the name and time of semen collection.

In cold weather, semen samples should be kept warm and placed in a pocket inside clothing, without tilting.

Or invert it and deliver it to the laboratory within 1 hour if possible.

What issues should be considered when performing a semen analysis?

"Doctor, why are the results of my tests from several different places so different?" This is a common question from patients.

Holding a semen analysis report, you might ask this question. Actually, you need to pay special attention when having a semen analysis.

There are some issues to be aware of, as neglecting them can significantly impact the test results.

(1) Specimen collection should be performed after abstinence for at least 2 days and no more than 7 days. If necessary...

Follow-up examinations are necessary, and the number of days of abstinence should be as consistent as possible each time. Abstinence refers to ceasing sexual activity.

Furthermore, there should be no masturbation or nocturnal emission. The duration of abstinence affects sperm density, but sperm motility...

Strength is not affected by the length of abstinence.

(2) Sample collection must be complete. During ejaculation, the front portion is rich in sperm, while the back portion...

The seminal vesicles are mainly composed of secretions from the seminal vesicles, so the loss of the first part of the semen is greater than that of the second part.

Semen loss has a greater impact on semen analysis results. If semen is spilled outside the collection container during collection...

If the test is negative, the test should be abandoned, and a sample should be collected and retested after 2-7 days of abstinence.

(3) Smoking and alcohol consumption must be avoided before collecting semen, and medications that affect spermatogenesis should not be taken.

Such as antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and endocrine drugs.

(4) It should be noted that sperm quality cannot be determined based on a single semen analysis result.

Conclusions should not be drawn based on a single indicator; a comprehensive analysis is necessary. For those who pass the initial semen analysis...

Those whose semen quality is normal can be considered to have normal semen quality, while those who fail the initial examination must undergo a 2-day re-examination.

A semen analysis should be performed 1-2 times within 3 weeks, and a judgment can be made after comprehensive analysis of the results from several tests.

How to interpret semen analysis results?

In clinical practice, I often receive semen analysis reports from patients asking, "Is my sperm motility..."

"Is this normal?" "With this result, will my wife be able to get pregnant?" They asked these questions because...

There are some misunderstandings about semen analysis. How should we interpret semen analysis results?

After receiving a routine semen analysis result, you should check the semen volume, liquefaction time, and pH.

A comprehensive analysis was conducted using parameters such as sperm count, sperm density, sperm motility, and sperm abnormality rate.

It's not about looking at just one aspect. For example, sperm motility is important, but compared to that, semen quality...

Sperm volume and density deserve more attention. If the latter two are significantly problematic, even if sperm motility is high...

Even with normal sperm count, it's difficult for the woman to conceive. Furthermore, semen analysis results only reflect the man's ability to impregnate the woman.

Regarding the probability of pregnancy, aside from azoospermia, it cannot be said that a woman is definitely unable to conceive if there are problems with her semen.

Pregnancy. Therefore, the results of a semen analysis should not be taken as absolute. Thirdly, in semen analysis...

The rate of sperm abnormalities is not necessarily related to the health of offspring; its significance is also...

It depends on how likely the woman is to be pregnant.

Common semen abnormalities include the following conditions.

Azoospermia: Absence of semen (non-ejaculation or retrograde ejaculation)

Azoospermia: The absence of sperm in ejaculated semen.

Oligospermia: The total number or density of sperm is lower than the lower limit of the reference range.

Asthenospermia: The percentage of progressively motile (PR) sperm is below the lower limit of the reference range.

Teratospermia: The percentage of sperm with normal morphology is lower than the lower reference value.

Asthenospermia: The total sperm count or density and the percentage of progressively motile sperm are both lower than the lower reference value.

Oligospermia (or teratospermia): The total sperm count or density and the percentage of sperm with normal morphology are both lower than the lower reference value.

Asthenospermia (teratospermia): The percentage of sperm with forward motility and normal morphology is lower than the lower limit of the reference range.

Oligospermia, asthenospermia, teratospermia: The total sperm count or density, the percentage of progressively motile sperm, and the percentage of sperm with normal morphology are all lower than the lower reference value.

Hematospermia: The presence of red blood cells in semen.

Leukocytic semen (pyospermia): The number of white blood cells in the semen is higher than the lower limit of normal.

Necrospermia: A low percentage of viable sperm in semen, with the proportion of non-motile sperm exceeding the lower limit of the reference range.

Semen non-liquefaction: Semen sample fails to liquefy after 60 minutes at room temperature.