Determine the quality of semen or semen by seminogragrama is one of the basic tests done to couples who resort to assisted reproduction clinics for not getting pregnant.Not surprisingly, in half the cases the problem is caused infertility in men and most of the time by a low seminal quality.
In this test the semen is analyzed from both macroscopic and microscopic perspective and different aspects are studied:
- Semen volume and characteristics: it is considered normal when the volume is above 1.5 milliliters. The pH should exceed 7.2 and the concentration of citric acid and fructose must be at least 52 micromoles and 13, respectively.
- Sperm concentration per unit volume: must be above 15 million per milliliter. All values are considered pathological below concerning fertility (oligozoospermia).
- Motility (ability to move) sperm: there must be at least 32% of progressive motile sperm. Lower values define the existence of a asthenozoospermia.
- Sperm morphology: for there is no teratozoospermia the proportion of spermatozoa with proper morphology (head and tail) should exceed 4%.
Sometimes, in addition to semen carried out additional tests to analyze or select higher quality sperm and can enhance the success of assisted reproduction procedures:
- REM: is a test of what is called sperm capacitation. By different sperm washing techniques recover higher quality in terms of mobility.
- Survival at 24 hours: the mobility of sperm is analyzed one day after collection.
- Tunnel: this technique allows to determine whether there is DNA fragmentation in the sperm selected because if so can adversely affect embryo implantation.
- FISH: It is used to analyze the chromosome of the sperm, especially chromosomes whose alterations may determine that abortions or fetal malformations (13, 18, 21, X and Y) are produced.
How to get for a semen sample
When collecting the semen sample for performing a semen analysis is very important to follow several guidelines:
- Total sexual abstinence during the three days prior to collection.
- A sterile container, such as those used for urine collection should be used.
- The sample is obtained by masturbation and be collected complete.
- It must be submitted before that 30 minutes have elapsed from the moment of ejaculation and, meanwhile, the sample should be kept at a temperature not less than 20 and not more than 30 ° loa.
- If you have a fever in the days before or medicine is taken must be reported to the doctor before the test, since both factors can alter the results of semen analysis.
If the results of semen establish the existence of a fertility problem, the test is usually repeated two or three weeks to confirm the diagnosis.