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IVF and Fertility Specialists Clinic
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Semen Analysis and Male Factor Infertility TestsAdvanced Fertility Center of Chicago
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| Semen Analysis Parameter | Normal Values |
| Volume | 2.0 ml or more |
| pH | 7.2-8.0 |
| Sperm concentration | 20,000,000/ml or more |
| Motility | 50% or more with forward progression |
| Rapid forward progressive motility | 25% or more |
| Morphology | 30% or
more normal forms (WHO criteria) -or- 11% or more normal forms (Strict criteria) |
| Vitality | 75% or more live |
| White blood cells | Less than 1,000,000/ml |
If a severe sperm defect is discovered, the testing on the female partner might be more limited. Treatment, such as inseminations or in vitro fertilization can then be started more directly.
In some cases we do hormone (blood) tests on men with abnormal semen analysis. This can (rarely) sometimes identify a reason for the abnormality. Occasionally, the problem will be treatable in the male.
Sperm penetration assay, also called the hamster egg test: In this test, the husband's sperm is mixed with hamster eggs to see whether they penetrate the eggs. It is expensive and there are many false positives and also false negative results. Some men are better with the hamster than with the wife... etc. We do not do this test.
Human zona binding assay: In this test, the husband's sperm is mixed with pieces of human egg shells (zona pellucidas) to see how many will bind to the shells. There are a lot less false positives and false negative results as compared to the hamster egg test. However, human egg shells are not readily available for this use - so it is not a very practical test.
In some cases the man is referred to a urologist to assess whether he might have a correctable condition called a varicocele. However, correcting a varicocele (surgical procedure) many times will not improve the semen quality enough to change the mode of therapy that will be required to result in a pregnancy for the couple. In other words, if a couple will need IVF anyway, why bother with surgery for a varicocele. These treatment options depend on the degree of abnormality in the semen and other factors, such as the age of the female partner, etc.