Semen Analysis

The first step toward pregnancy is finding answers to a couple’s infertility problems. In about a third of the cases, male factor infertility is the sole cause. A semen analysis test is often recommended when couples are having problems getting pregnant. The test results will help a doctor determine if a man is infertile. The analysis will also help determine if low sperm count or sperm dysfunction is the reason behind infertility. A semen analysis is considered to be the most important test for assessing male infertility issues.

What is a semen analysis?

Semen analysis, also known as a sperm count test, analyzes the health and viability of a man’s sperm. Semen is the fluid containing sperm (plus other sugar and protein substances) that’s released during ejaculation. A semen analysis measures a few major factors of sperm health:
  • The number of sperm
  • The shape of the sperm or morphology
  • The movement of the sperm, also known as “sperm motility”
  • The concentration of the sperm
  • Semen volume and thickness of sperm fluid
  • Leukocytes or white blood cells to determine whether there is an infection or inflammation

What is the procedure for Semen Analysis?

Doctors will often conduct two or three separate sperm analyses to get a good idea of sperm’s health. According to the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), the tests should be conducted at least seven days apart and over the course of two to three months. Sperm counts can vary on a daily basis. Taking an average of the sperm samples can give the most conclusive result.
Patients who will undergo a sperm analysis are requested to prepare themselves for the procedure by:
  • Abstaining from ejaculation for at least 2 to 5 days prior to the test
  • Avoiding caffeine and alcoholic beverages during these days.
  • Avoiding using lubricating gels during ejaculation so that semen remains unadulterated
Inform your doctor about the medications and supplements you take. Doctors may advise you to avoid herbal or hormone medication a few days prior to the test.
Samples can be taken in our special collection room in a sterilized container or you need to take this container from us and collect your sample at home. After ejaculation, make sure that semen is kept at room temperature and brought to our lab within half an hour to 40 minutes.
If the semen analysis shows any abnormality, our Andrology department will look into every factor to evaluate the cause and determine the correct treatment. In some cases, we may order for more advanced tests to check for alterations in the number of chromosomes and DNA fragmentation which can occur or for medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid or kidney disease, certain medications, or even stress. At Xenith, we have a focused Andrology department and hence our success rates for male factor infertility are very high.

When is IVF for male infertility recommended?

IVF for male infertility is usually recommended when there is a low concentration of normal sperm. IVF is also recommended with there is a combination of male and female fertility factors. In such cases, IVF helps to increase the chances of egg fertilization.

In severe male factor infertility, the doctor may recommend IVF with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). This process involves choosing a single healthy sperm and injecting it directly into the egg thereby improving the chances of fertilization.

The Xenith Advanced Fertility Centre uses the most advanced semen analysis lab in Pune to conduct specialized tests for semen analysis. The high accuracy of these tests help us to correctly diagnose the condition of male infertility and prescribe specific treatment. At Xenith, you’ll find the cost of a semen analysis test very competitive.

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