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{In no situation do we ever recommend that fertility diagnosis or treatment be undertaken without the oversight of a qualified medical practitioner. Please use the enclosed information as quick reference and for discussion aids with your practitioner.}

Microscopic examination and testing of ejaculate (semen liquid) and sperm cells for reproductive quantity and quality.

Indications: inability to conceive

When it should be done:
When a couple or single male is trying to conceive and unable to do so, the semen analysis should be one of the very first things done to identify causes of infertility, for the following reasons:

• relative low cost of test
• relative lack of invasiveness and pain of procedure, as compared to female diagnostic procedures
• relative very high value of results of test -
  • male infertility accounts for approx half of all cases
  • problems with sperm are undetectable through any other means
  • problems with sperm cannot be made up for by enhancing female fertility
  • problems with sperm are highly correctable through a number of assisted reproductive techniques

How It Works:
Sample of semen is collected, observed, and rated along standard parameters through lab techniques.

Results:
Sperm and semen will be examined for the following parameters:

• Morphology (shape)
  • Normal = at least 30% good
• Motility (movement)
  • Normal = at least 50% motile
• Volume
  • Normal = 2 - 5 cc
• Count & concentration (as a percentage of overall semen)
  • Normal = at least 20 million per ml
• Coagulation, liquification factors
• Presence of white blood cells (sign of infection)
  • Normal = less than 1 million per ml

Typical Procedure Protocol:

Pre-procedure:
• male is asked to abstain from ejacultion for 48 to 72 hours prior to testing
• standing appointment scheduled for male
• sample obtained via masturbation using sterile receptacle, at either patient's home or clinic, depending on length of travel time from home to lab
• other collection methods are available in cases of ejaculation dysfunction
• sample turned in to lab for analysis
• some patients may also be asked to do a urinalysis immediately following ejaculation, to check for retrograde ejaculation

During procedure:
In addition to the above-stated parameters, semen and sperm may be examined in the following manners:
• pyospermia analysis, for distinguishing of white blood cells
• screen for infectious agents
• semen fructose levels
• Immunobead Test or Antisperm Antibody Profile
• sperm penetration assay

Post-procedure:

• In cases of below-normal parameters found through SA, it is recommended that at least one additional analysis be run (on a different sample, collected on a different day), using the same lab. This is particularly important when results are found to be borderline normal. The reason for this is that sperm quality is easily affected by a number of variables, such as overall health, stress, heat, etc.

What may be found through a semen analysis:

• bacterial infection
• antisperm antibodies
• congenital absence of vas deferens
• other causes of sperm blockage or dysfunctional sperm production
• chlamydia or other infection
• abnormal semen resulting from male sperm antibodies
• ejaculation disorders

Average Costs:

• US $75. to $400., depending on which specific tests are run, where procedure is performed, and the going rate for geographical area