Spermogram preparation of the norm and decoding

A spermogram analysis is given by a man to identify abnormalities in the genitourinary system. It is usually used after a failed attempt to conceive. And this is wrong! It would be much better to pass such an analysis in advance so that there are no "surprises" later.

Gone are the days when only a woman was accused of lack of sex. More and more often it turns out that the problem also exists in men. Finding out the reasons for unsuccessful conception, special studies are assigned to both partners. It's another matter when a man intends to become a sperm donor.

In this case, the study of the ejaculate is mandatory. The norm is when the spermogram is in the patient's hands the very next day. The doctor who issued such a leaflet must explain to the patient the main parameters of the study, since it is difficult for an uninitiated person to deal with the many numbers and terms denoting the norms of indicators himself. It is important that the specialist gives explanations on all points. A spermogram is considered normal if there are deviations in some points, but such a conclusion can only be made by a doctor.

What is semen analysis?

A spermogram gives a result with the number and quality of sperm, which gives an idea of the ability to fertilize an egg. After a year of living together, if pregnancy does not occur, the couple is faced with the question of conducting a study of the ejaculate. The indicators are assessed according to the parameters established by the World Health Organization. The spermogram shows whether the ejaculate is normal, if there are deviations in the numbers, then what disease they indicate.

Test Guidelines

A man must approach the preparation before taking the analysis with all responsibility, since its violation can mislead both the patient himself and the attending physician. Before donating sperm, a man should refrain from sexual intercourse for three days to a week.

If this taboo is violated, the result will not be objective. The patient cannot drink alcohol for seven days prior to sperm collection. The same applies to chemical drugs of any kind and smoking. Admixtures of drugs and tobacco can change the big picture.

After completing any treatment course related to the genitourinary system, you must wait two weeks, and only then take the test. Perhaps anti-infectious therapy was used - this is also a reason to pause for two weeks before collecting sperm.

Any viral disease (including colds) will negatively affect the test result

And in this case, you have to wait up to two weeks before the test. At the same time, you cannot go to the bathhouse or sauna, exclude any other thermal procedures. A few days before the analysis, it is necessary to reduce physical activity if it is very intense.

A week before the analysis should pass in the case of taking a prostate massage. Before the procedure for donating sperm, it is forbidden to use gels for intimate places. This is because fats are included in the hygiene products, which will also affect the result.

Direct delivery of ejaculate should be carried out in a medical facility. The material must be fresh, not subject to temperature extremes, which will surely happen when it is delivered from home to a medical institution by the man himself. There is one subtle issue with sperm collection.

It is associated with the psychophysical state of a man. Not everyone can abstract and donate sperm in unfamiliar conditions. For this, there is a courier service that will comply with all the rules for transporting material and will deliver a container with sperm from the patient's home to the laboratory within an hour.

The container must contain the name and surname of the donor, the time of delivery

Only such a thorough preparation will provide the most objective results of the spermogram. It is necessary to strictly observe all the listed rules for preparing for the test. A man who violates one of the items on the list must honestly warn the doctor about this in order to avoid re-donating sperm.

Retrograde ejaculation. It happens that, having experienced an orgasm, a man does not ejaculate. In this case, the semen ends up in the bladder, where it is found during a urinalysis. A similar phenomenon affects fertility (fertility). It is treated with both conservative and surgical methods. If it is impossible to cure the disease, you will have to turn to IVF.

Spermogram and e indicators

Norms of spermogram allow us to judge the fertility of a man. The volume of ejaculate. Norm. 3 to 5 ml. If this norm is exceeded, a violation is recorded (inflammation of the prostate gland or seminal vesicles).

A larger volume of liquid indicates impurities of purulent masses. With an insufficient amount of ejaculate (oligospermia), there is a decreased hormonal function of the testes (testicle).This will be confirmed by a blood test for hormones.

The semen dilution time should be no more than one hour. Thinning for a longer period indicates chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate).

The viscosity of the ejaculate is from 1 to 5 mm. With increased viscosity, the sperm lose speed and do not reach the egg

Increased viscosity indicates prostatitis or vesiculitis. Akinospermia indicates complete immobility of cells.

Acceptable ejaculate colors are white, grayish or yellowish. A change in color towards red or brown shades indicates the presence of stones in the prostate or vesiculitis (inflammation of the seminal vesicles).

The acid-base background of the ejaculate can range from 7.2 to 7.8 pH. Deviation in one direction or the other indicates inflammation in the glands. Azoospermia is also possible, that is, the absence of sperm in the ejaculate in less than 20 million per 1 ml (the number of spermatozoa in 1 ml should exceed 20 million, the upper limit is up to 120 million).

In the ejaculate, live spermatozoa may not be found (necrozoospermia). This can be the result of a congenital anomaly, an injury or a consequence of an operation, as a result of chemotherapy, hormone therapy or radiation therapy, because of the harmfulness of the profession, or provoked by alcoholism.

Erythrocytes should be absent in semen. Their presence indicates inflammation of the prostate. Leukocytes can be single (in the field of view) - this is within normal limits.

Epithelial cells may be present in small numbers

It is normal, when the spermogram shows a large number of lipoid bodies.

Amyloid bodies showing prostate congestion should be absent from normal semen analysis.

Spermatogenesis cells - no more than 10 percent. Their high content or their complete absence indicates infertility.

There should be no mucus, otherwise it indicates prostatitis

Agglutination (the so-called gluing of spermatozoa) should be absent. If glued cells are present, this gives an indication of the change in pH.

Aggregation is the gluing of sperm with mucus (not to be confused with agglutination, when cells are glued together). This shouldn't be normal.

Farris index - not less than 200. Determined by a special formula. Indicates sperm motility.

MAR-test with its help determine the immune factor of infertility. It is done in two ways: on seminal fluid (direct) and on blood plasma (indirect)

One of the most important indicators is sperm motility. Depending on it, the germ cells are divided into 4 groups: group A - the fastest, moving in a straight line; group B - slowly moving, but also in a straight line; group C - slowly moving along a curve; group D - so-called, oscillating, without movement.

It is considered normal if the sperm of the first three groups make up 75 percent of the total. With a high (more than 25 percent) sperm count of the fourth group (D), the testicles are to be examined. The worst result is when only immobile spermatozoa are found in the ejaculate (asthenozoospermia). A patient with such an indicator will require long-term treatment.

Study of ejaculate morphology (structure of sperm)

Defects that male reproductive cells may have: an irregular or bifurcated head, a tail of an irregular length, kinks or thickenings in the tail, the absence of a chromosome, vacuole cells of the head. Such spermatozoa are not viable and will die.

Sperm with an abnormal tail do not have sufficient speed and cannot get to the ovum, sperm with an abnormal head cannot enter the oocyte or, having penetrated there, the fetus develops incorrectly, which leads to a miscarriage in a woman.

Until now, the opinions of doctors differ in assessing the morphology of sperm. Normal sperm, as statistics show, should be at least 20 percent of the total. Since 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revised the spermogram norms, the table has undergone great changes, and today they vary depending on the region of residence. However, laboratory technicians rely on average rates to determine patient fertility.

The rate of live sperm, according to the WHO, should be more than half of the total

Sperm immobility is called asthenozoospermia. Causes and Treatment: High temperatures in the scrotum area negatively affect the degree of mobility of male germ cells. This occurs when varicocele disease (enlargement of the vein of the spermatic cord), when exposed to radiation, in workers in hot shops.

It can also occur when wearing too tight underwear. Another factor is genital and other infections - chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, mumps, tuberculosis.Fertility can be affected by vitamin deficiency and a lack of micronutrients important for men, as well as alcohol abuse and spontaneous sex life.

The doctor, relying on spermogram indicators and other studies, should find the main reason for what may negatively affect sperm cells

There are three degrees of immobility of germ cells (asthenozoospermia). In the first degree, about half of the sperm retain their motility for one hour.

In the second degree, more than 60 percent of the sperm remain immobile. In the third degree, immobility is observed in more than 70 percent of the cells. This is the most severe degree. Treatment comes down to the fact that the man must change his lifestyle.

You will have to prohibit yourself from visiting the bathhouse and all thermal procedures, it is necessary to replace the linen with a spacious, non-constricting one, reconsider the diet, and start practicing affordable sports. With varicocele disease, surgery cannot be avoided.

In case of immobility of sperm of the third degree, you will have to resort to artificial insemination

The egg is fertilized in a test tube and then injected into the uterus. This method has proven to be the most effective, and in most cases it leads to a long-awaited pregnancy.

Depending on the indications, one of three types of spermogram can be assigned: basic, which includes all the main points. In the event that the result is normal values, then no further research is required; The MAR test will detect the presence of antibodies that destroy germ cells; spermogram according to the Kruger method (morphological analysis).

If, as a result of the basic spermogram, normal indicators were not found, then two more types of analysis are assigned, that is, the study is carried out an extended one.

If necessary, a man can be assigned another analysis in the biochemistry of the ejaculate, to determine in its composition zinc (an extremely necessary trace element for spermatogenesis), citric acid (affects the maintenance of semen pressure), fructose (gives energy, giving mobility to cells ), L-carnitine (a vitamin-like substance involved in the metabolism of fatty acids, promotes sperm motility) and alpha-glucosidase (one of the components that stimulates sperm).

Experts believe that normal spermogram in which there are no changes in the morphology of germ cells and in their mobility. The main importance of the analysis is to conceive a healthy baby. A normal spermogram will add confidence to future parents that the development of the fetus will proceed without complications.