How to Read a Sperm Analysis Report

Sperm analysis reports are also referred to as semen analyses. The purpose of such a report is to give professional healthcare providers a full scope of parameters that help them determine the health of a semen sample. These parameters are crucial in determining how fertile a person is. Semen analyses inform on the quantity of sperm produced, how well sperm cells move, and how healthy the cells are. Interpreting what this means for your family building plans is valuable, therefore in this article, we shall be explaining what the parameters of your sperm analysis report mean. 

What Is a Semen Analysis?

A semen analysis determines a person’s fertility. Initially, the analysis was used as a post-procedural test following a vasectomy to determine if the procedure was successful. As a measure for fertility, the parameters measured are the count, motility and morphology of the sperm within the sample. The amount of semen used to conduct an analysis sample is usually the volume collected from one ejaculation.

Sperm Count

The sperm count parameter has to do with how many sperm cells are in the semen. When the amount of sperm is not highly concentrated within the semen, it is considered a low sperm count. A higher concentration of sperm within a sample is considered a high sperm count. Although a person’s sperm count is important, a low count does not mean that a person is infertile. Even with a low count, if sperm are healthy, then a person can still have children.

Sperm Motility

When sperm reach the vagina or the uterus, typically they swim continuously until one of them reaches the egg and fertilizes it. If you consider how small a sperm cell is, the distance toward the egg is quite long. As such even when the rest of its structure is healthy, if it cannot move, natural fertilization cannot occur. An individual or couple would then have to use assistive reproductive therapies to build their family.

Sperm Morphology

The anatomical structure of a sperm cell is what sperm morphology refers to. This structure is what informs medical practitioners if the sperm cell is capable of fertilization. When it comes to morphology, there are some abnormalities that can make reproduction challenging, while others are negligible. With a healthier consistency of healthy cells, the likelihood of building families is higher. 

What to Expect During Semen Analysis Process

A fresh semen sample will be required in order for a semen analysis report to be conducted. A sterile sample container will be required in order for one to masturbate and ejaculate into it. The sample is typically analysed by a lab, even though at-home semen analysis kits are available for those who wish for more privacy. A lab analysis will run several tests, and each lab runs different tests with different parameters. Results typically take several days to come out. Although very effective, the at-home semen analysis kits only give results about sperm motility and sperm count typically. 

Understanding Your Semen Analysis Report

A lab analysed semen report will provide information about the count, mobility and morphology of the sperm. As well, the report provides insight into what the results indicate about a person’s fertility. 

Semen Ejaculate Volume

The average volume of one ejaculation is about two to five millilitres. Interestingly a lower volume does not necessarily indicate infertility, but it could be as a result of anomalies such as anatomical anomalies, or blockage. On the other hand, a particularly high ejaculate volume is not a guarantee of fertility. Overall, ejaculate volume is but one of the markers used to determine fertility. 

Sperm Concentration 

Within a semen sample, the expectation is that, on average the semen will contain a minimum of about 39 million sperm. Out of this number, 58 percent of the sperm are expected to continue to live. This percentage is what is used to determine a person’s sperm concentration.

Sperm Motility

Sperm motility is measured using two different parameters. The first parameter is whether the sperm moves at all or not. This is referred to as the sperm’s motility, and 40 percent of the sperm in the sample ought to have motility, when it comes to fertility. The second parameter is whether the sperm can move in a forward direction. This is referred to as the sperm’s progressive motility. For this, 32 percent of the sperm in the sample ought to demonstrate forward motility, for conception to occur.

Sperm Morphology

Sperm morphology is a unique parameter when reading a sperm analysis report. It is perhaps a common belief that a sperm cell has to be perfectly formed in order to be effective in fertilization. Medical science has found that only about four percent of sperm in a healthy semen sample are actually perfectly formed. This means that even an oddly shaped sperm cell is potentially capable of fertilization, and the perfectly formed one does not necessarily have better odds. 

Sperm Count and Fertility

Having gone over the metrics of a sperm sample when it comes to fertility, it is clear that sperm count is not the only contributing factor to fertility. In most cases, a high sperm count has been found to have better success for fertility, but if the count is too high, exceeding 40 million/mililiter the fertility odds decrease.

How to Increase Sperm Count

It is possible to increase one’s sperm count, if their metric is below average. Some lifestyle changes are the key to seeing a trend toward normal ranges. Therefore:

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet
• Increase your intake of zinc and folate which is found in a variety of legumes, vegetables, seeds and nuts 
• Get sufficient sleep daily
• Avoid alcohol and nicotine based products
• Have a regular exercise routine, particularly if your BMI is high
• Manage your stress levels

In Conclusion

A sperm analysis report is the tool used to gauge a person’s fertility. Although the report will provide useful insight, it does not give finality to a person’s ability to produce children naturally. There are those with average results that struggle to have children, and those with less than average results who are able to have children. The health of the sperm that are present is the differentiating factor where fertility is concerned. 

As well, a sperm analysis report informs healthcare practitioners of any potential issues that could affect fertility in the future. Early detection then gives medical practitioners a chance to find solutions or interventions for their patients. If you have more questions about semen analysis or fertility, contact us for these and other reproductive services.