How are the results of the seminogram and its values ??interpreted?

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The seminogram, also called spermiogram, is the analysis of the semen sample that is performed to check the number and state of the sperm, allowing to study male fertility.

Generally, the clinic offers a report with the results of the spermogram but it is important to know how to interpret them to see if there is any alteration in the seminal parameters.

Next you have an index with all the points that we are going to treat in this article.

Index

How are the results of the seminogram and its values ??interpreted?

Parameters of seminal evaluation

The WHO (World Health Organization) outlines the parameters to be analyzed in the seminogram and establishes reference values ??to indicate if the results obtained are normal.

These seminal parameters can be classified into macroscopic and microscopic. We discuss them below along with their reference values:



Macroscopic examination

It consists of analyzing the basic characteristics of the semen with the naked eye, without having to resort to the microscope. The most important are:

Volumense is measured in milliliters (ml). The semen sample is normal when it has a volume of more than 1.5 ml. The sample of ejaculate is left to liquefy about 20 minutes in a natural way to be able to do the study, that is to say, it must be totally liquid. Coloring semen has a gray- yellowish. If the sample is very transparent it may indicate presence of leukocytes and if it is very opaque a high concentration of spermatozoa is suspected.Viscosidadse examines the presence of threads by an increased viscosity and they break so that they do not interfere in the study. A very viscous semen can indicate problems in the prostate.pHel semen has a pH between 7 and 8 normally. The variation in pH outside this range is associated with the presence of an infection.

Considering these aspects, it is not difficult to interpret the seminogram by oneself and to get a rough idea of ??whether the seminal sample has any alteration.

Macroscopic Semenogram Parameters

Microscopic examination

If the previous analysis had a greater relation with the characteristics of the semen and all the fluids that comprise it, the examination of the microscopic parameters focuses on analyzing all aspects related to spermatozoa.

To do this, it is necessary to deposit a drop of semen in a Neubauer or Makler chamber and observe the following characteristics under the microscope:

Concentration of spermatozoid makes a sperm count. The number of spermatozoa must exceed 15 million per ml or the total 39 million per ejaculate for the sample to be considered normal. Motility or sperm motility analyzes the percentage of motile spermatozoa in the sample as well as how they move: progressive, slow or non-progressive. It is said that a semen sample is normal when more than 40% of its sperm moves and more than 32% does it progressively. Spermitality There are several tests to see if there are dead spermatozoa in the ejaculate: eosin stain, hypoosmotic test, etc. For sperm samples to be normal, more than 58% of the spermatozoa must be alive. Sperm morphology evaluates the sperm shape by staining a drop of semen with hematoxylin-eosin and analyzing one by one if they have any abnormalities. At least 4% of the spermatozoa must have a normal shape to consider that the sample is normal. Leukocytosis presence makes a round cell count if these appear in quantity under the microscope. At most, there must be 1 million lecuocytes / ml, since a larger amount is indicative of infection.

If you want a more detailed explanation of both microscopic and macroscopic parameters that are studied in the seminogram you can read this article: What is a seminogram?

Microscopic parameters of the spermiogram

How to read a spermogram

After receiving the report with the results of the seminogram by the laboratory, some considerations must be taken into account in order to understand these results:

  • The WHO reference values ??will appear in parentheses to the right of the result.
  • Sperm concentration is expressed in millions per milliliter.
  • The mobility, morphology and sperm vitality are expressed in percentages.
  • It is possible that the units of measure or reference values ??change depending on the laboratory in case of repeating the seminogram in another clinic.
  • The current WHO reference values ??are those published in 2010.

If all the results obtained in the spermiogram reach the lower reference limit (LRI) established by WHO for each of the seminal parameters, the semen sample is considered normal and, therefore, the male does not present fertility problems . This is known as normozoospermia.

Interpret the spermogram result

In case of presenting any of the parameters altered and outside the reference value, the semen sample will be diagnosed with the associated pathology, which may lead to a problem of sterility:

Azoospermiaausencia of spermatozoa Oligospermia under sperm countsAstenozoospermia problems of sperm motilityTeratozoospermiapermia with abnormal morphologyNormrospermiagran amount of dead spermatozoaHipospermia seminal volume

There may also be combined problems such as oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, which marks a worse prediction of infertility.

In any case, the difficulty in achieving a pregnancy will depend on the parameter affected and the degree of deviation from the normal value.

Now you have the option to get a special price to get a spermiogram thanks to our agreement with Spanish assisted reproduction clinics. In our Discounts Section you will find all the information: See discounts in the seminogram.

Frequent questions

What should be done when poor results are obtained in the sperm?

It will be necessary to evaluate the results of the seminogram together with other studies carried out such as hormonal analysis, anatomy, related diseases, genetic factors, patient's anamnesis, etc.

Thus, we can determine the cause by which the results are bad to be able to find the solution or determine a possible treatment. In case the prescription treatment does not improve the results in a new seminogram, the technique to be used to solve the infertility and to have a child should be assessed.

What does a negative spermiogram result mean? When do they indicate that you are infertile?

Generally, a positive or negative value is not associated with the seminogram since there are several aspects analyzed. The most common is to say that the result of the seminogram is negative for a specific parameter such as mobility.

Depending on the altered seminal factors and severity in relation to the deviation from normal values, we can indicate if there is infertility or if the natural pregnancy is still possible, either with or without medical treatment.

What is the presence of round cells in the sperm?

Occasionally, in the microscopic analysis of the semen sample, in addition to the spermatozoa, a high number of round cells is observed. They are usually epithelial cells of the bladder, prostate or urethra, germ cells precursor to spermatozoa (immature sperm) or inflammatory cells like leukocytes.

The presence of leukocytes is generally indicative of infection and may result in alterations of other parameters analyzed. It will be necessary to treat the infection and repeat the spermiogram.

How long does it take to get the sperm count?

The results of a basic spermiogram can be obtained on the same day, although normally the fertility clinics take about two or three days to give the complete report, depending on the volume of work of each center.

In case of analyzing specific details or performing a SEM-seminogram, the result can take a few more days.

Recommended Reading

Apart from the seminogram, there are other diagnostic tests for male infertility, such as blood hormone analysis. For more information on these tests, you can access the following post: What male hormones are involved in the reproductive function?

In case of poor results in the seminogram, there are several causes that cause the alteration of the seminal parameters. You can continue reading about this in the following article: Diseases that cause male sterility.

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