Semen Analysis

Male sub fertility is present in up to 47% of infertile couples; therefore, the semen analysis is critically important. There are often multiple causes of infertility and no treatment of the female will be successful in the absence of sperm that can reach and fertilize the egg.

The male fertility evaluation should be performed by a reproductive laboratory that has personnel with extensive andrology experience. Many different semen parameters are evaluated including: 

• Number of live sperm. Normal = > 20 million per milliliter

• Volume of fluid in the ejaculate.

• Motility (ability to move or swim in a straight line). Normal = > 50%

• Shape and size of the sperm. Normal = >14% "highly normal forms" ( using strict criteria)

• Presence of white blood cells which may indicate an infection. Normal= < 5 white blood cells per microscopic field.

• Intrauterine insemination is often used to treat mild male factor infertility. Moderate to severe male infertility requires IVF with ICSI or the use of a sperm donor.

Treatment mild of male factor infertility usually consists of intrauterine insemination. In more severe cases, donor sperm can be used or IVF with intracytoplasmic injection is employed. Today's ICSI technology combined with surgical techniques, such as TESA can produce pregnancy when a single sperm can be obtained.