How to Read a Sperm Analysis Report

A sperm analysis report is used to analyse a person’s fertility. This analysis typically gives information about the quantity of sperm a person produces, how healthy the sperm cells are, and how well they move. With this information, healthcare practitioners can assist individuals in managing their fertility. Knowing how to interpret the results is useful in giving a clearer picture on how to plan for your family building. So, let us tell you what the metrics on your sperm analysis mean.

What Is a Semen Analysis?

The terms ‘sperm analysis’ and ‘semen analysis’ both refer to the same thing; a test used to assess different elements of a person’s sperm or semen. The analysis is primarily used after a vasectomy as a measure to test if the procedure has been successful.  However, when used to determine a person’s fertility, typically, three key metrics are evaluated; sperm morphology, sperm count, and sperm motility. 

Sperm Morphology

Sperm morphology refers to a sperm cell’s ‘anatomical’ structure as it were. This structure is key in determining, not just the health of the sperm cell, but how likely it is to fertilize an egg. Some anomalies are negligible, while others can make reproduction difficult. Therefore, the healthier the consistency of this morphology within a sperm sample, the higher the chances of having children is. 

Sperm Count

Sperm count refers to how concentrated sperm cells are within a sample of semen. A high number of sperm within a sample is considered a high sperm count, while a lower concentration of sperm is considered a low sperm count. A low sperm count however is not indicative of complete infertility, as the overall health of the sperm is just as valid an indicator of fertility.

Sperm Motility

Motility refers to movement, and sperm motility has to do with how well sperm cells move and swim. This is crucial as sperm generally need to swim from the vagina, past the cervix, up the uterus, and to the fallopian tube in order to ‘meet’ with the egg for fertilization. This is quite a long journey for a cell so small, so if a sperm can swim well, then it is more likely to reach and fertilize an egg. 

What to Expect During Semen Analysis Process

A semen analysis cannot happen without a semen sample, therefore an individual will have to submit a fresh semen sample by masturbating and ejaculating into a sterile container. The sample obtained is usually analysed by a lab. Different labs use different tests for this, and each test has its unique parameters. Therefore the results may take a few days, or even more, before they are available for interpretation. 

If a lab report is not what you are after, there are at-home semen analysis kits available. These typically provide information about sperm count and sperm motility only, and they are quite effective. An at-home test also provides for more privacy if this is a preference for you. However if you would like more details regarding your sperm, a lab report will provide this. 

Understanding Your Semen Analysis Report

The parameters provided by a lab analysis not only give statistics about sperm count and motility, they also give insight into how these statistics relate to fertility.

Semen Ejaculate Volume

The amount of semen is produced in one ejaculation can facilitate the diagnosis of underlying conditions that could impact fertility. Ejaculation typically yields about two to five milliliters of semen, but a lower volume does not necessarily indicate infertility. 

In fact an investigation revealed that it could be the result of hormonal anomalies such as hypogonadism - which is the body’s inability to produce a sufficient amount of testosterone, sperm, or both. At times it could be anatomical anomalies such as the absence of the seminal vesicle, or some type of blockage of the ejaculatory duct. 

Sperm Concentration 

Typically, within the two to five milliliters of semen, a healthy ejaculation usually at least 39 million sperm are expected. Now, out of this amount, it is expected that about 58 percent or more remain alive. This percentage is the measure by which sperm concentration is measured.

Sperm Motility

This metric is assessed in two prongs. The first has to do with whether or not the sperm cells can make any type of movement generally. This assessment is known as overall motility. The second aspect has to do with whether the sperm cells can move in a forward direction. This assessment is known as progressive motility. 

The scoring system for sperm cells that are healthy is that overall motility needs to come in at 40 percent, while progressive motility needs to come in at 32 percent or higher. If sperm cells cannot achieve this, it is likely that they will not be able to fertilize an egg naturally, because of their limited movement. 

Sperm Morphology

This perhaps is the most interesting metric when it comes to semen analysis. This is because the general structure of sperm cells has no particular impact on fertility. In other words, a perfectly formed sperm cell does not necessarily have a better chance at fertility than an oddly formed one. 

Normal sperm morphology is expected in only about four percent of a healthy semen sample. Meaning that the majority of sperm cells do not always have a ‘normal’ appearance or structure. In fact many have odd shapes, and sometimes look like two or more sperm cells are conjoined. Yet still they can fertilize an egg successfully. 

Sperm Count and Fertility

Looking at the metrics used to determine fertility, we can see that sperm count is not the only contributing factor to fertility. While a high sperm count is often associated with higher fertility, this is only true to a certain extent. It was discovered that sperm counts exceeding 40 million/milliliter have lower fertility outcomes, the higher the count goes.

How to Increase Sperm Count

Having seen the role of sperm count in fertility, those with a lower than average count can actually improve their metrics by making a few lifestyle changes that are easy enough to achieve. Below are some of the ways one can do that:

• Ensure that your diet is healthy and balanced
• Increase zinc and folate in your diet, found in foods such as legumes, dark green leafy vegetables, beef liver, pork, whole eggs, nuts and seeds. 
• Make time to ensure that you get sufficient sleep
• Alcohol and tobacco products must be avoided
• Get into a regular exercise routine which will also be of value if your BMI is high
• Find ways to manage your stress levels

In Conclusion

A semen analysis is a crucial tool in providing an in-depth understanding of a person’s fertility. It must be stated that regardless of the statistics on the report, it is not a direct indicator of a person’s ability to have children naturally. There are those with typical results who struggle to have children, while others with less than average results who are able to have children naturally. 

The main advantage of a sperm analysis report is that it highlights issues that are present, and gives insight to potential issues that could arise. This in turn creates opportunities for professional medical practitioners to find possible interventions and treatments for patients. If you have any more questions regarding semen analysis, or are concerned about infertility, do contact us at Los Angeles Reproductive Center for guidance though our reproductive health services.