Sperm analysis
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Spermogram is an analysis of sperm, as a result of which it is determined whether a man has problems with conceiving a child. This phenomenon occurs in almost every third of the pairs that can not start a baby. For this, special tests are carried out.
What do they include? So, pay attention to the amount of "raw materials". It should be enough for conception. The liquefaction time plays a big role. Sperm is a thick gel-like substance, which becomes liquid after 20 minutes after ejaculation. The time of liquefaction is the period from the very ejaculation and until the transformation of sperm into liquid "raw materials". The amount of "material" shows how many spermatozoa are present in one milliliter of sperm from one ejaculation. The structure of the sperm shows what percentage of the sperm has a normal shape. Mobility also determines the percentage, but normal sperm motility. The fact is that mobile spermatozoa can be small. The level of acidity, leukocytes and fructose is also determined. These indicators indicate whether normal sperm or not.
These tests are performed if a man has reproductive problems that led to infertility. There was a successful vasectomy or a reversible vasectomy.
Before you take the test, you need to prepare. It is recommended to avoid any sexual activity 2-5 days before the procedure. This will help to make sure that the sperm obtained is the maximum. Rare sexual activity can lead to the fact that sperm will become less active.
Analysis of sperm (seminal fluid) is necessary to address the issue of the ability of the subject to produce offspring. The cause of infertility in men may be diseases of the testicles, prostate, conduction disorders of the vas deferens, diseases and malformations of the urethra.
Analysis of the ejaculate (sperm) is one of the methods for diagnosing hormonal disorders in the regulation of the reproductive system. Normal results of the study of ejaculate in most cases allow to exclude hormonal disorders as a cause of infertility.
Analysis of sperm is an option more habitual for hearing, research of the quality of male ejaculate, which is called a spermogram. Sperm research is conducted to determine physical qualities and parameters, as well as to estimate the volume. Also, sperm analysis involves an assessment of its viscosity, color. The most important parameter in the study of ejaculate is the determination of the activity and the number of the main participants in fertilization-spermatozoa. Analysis of sperm can show the presence of foreign cells, on the basis of his results, the doctor plans further diagnostic and therapeutic measures. In a word, information about the male's sex cells, cellular properties, parameters and activity, chemical and qualitative composition - all this is taken into account in the spermogram.
Why do they take semen analysis?
Firstly, such a study is very important for those who try in vain to fill up the family with a child. As a rule, a comprehensive examination is performed by a woman, but diagnostic methods in studying the state of a man's health are no less significant. Properties and speed of movement of the most active participants in fertilization - spermatozoa are determined in the spermogram.
Also, sperm analysis is important for diagnosing various types of urological problems, both chronic and acute. It should be taken into account that sometimes the analysis of sperm is not the only research procedure that is necessary to find out the causes of the disease. This is just part of the diagnostic activities.
How to take sperm?
Before you go to take the test, you need to consider how to take sperm and how many ways of this exposure exists. As a rule, you need to take a clean glass for this. Usually an eruption occurs in him, you can do this procedure both in the clinic and at home, if the medical institution is nearby.
The most common way is masturbation with ejaculation in a glass. You can also collect the sperm in the process of sexual intercourse. In this case, it is necessary to get the penis from the partner before ejaculation. Ejaculation should be done in a clean glass. This method is widely used after a vasectomy to check the presence of sperm.
To collect "raw materials" it is possible and with the use of a condom. If a man prefers the usual means of protection, then he must be thoroughly cleaned of the lubricant. It is this substance that kills spermatozoa. There are special condoms that do not contain substances that kill sperm. After the very ejaculation, you need to carefully remove the condom, tie it with a knot and put it in a container.
If a man collects seminal fluid at home, then it should be delivered to the clinic within an hour. It is advisable to keep the sample away from cold, heat and sunlight. Do not freeze the sperm. It is necessary to note the fact that sperm changes almost every day. Therefore, it is necessary to take it for analysis 2-3 times within 3 months.
How is the semen analysis?
A worldwide, universally recognized health organization recommends taking an analysis of sperm, that is, a spermogram after excluding sexual relations for at least three days with the help of self-irritation and arousal, that is, masturbation. If the sexual contacts were on the eve of the spermogram, then there may be a lack of sperm by volume for qualitative research. If abstinence before analysis is too long, then the activity of male sex cells will be reduced.
The material for the study needs fresh, so the analysis of sperm is carried out in hospital or out-of-hospital settings. Ejaculate should be in the diluted state, in its entirety, at home, collection is possible only if it is fast, within an hour of delivery to the laboratory. If a man gives an analysis of sperm in his territory, that is at home, he must first be stocked with sterile capacity, and after the procedure immediately deliver the contents of the container to the clinic.
Requirements for sperm collection include the collection of material without the use of preservatives - condoms, since the contact of male gametes with latex can distort the picture of laboratory tests.
Bacterial sperm seeding
One of the diagnostic methods, which is often used to clarify the causes of male infertility, is bacterial sperm seeding. This procedure is assigned to men in the presence of inflammatory pathologies of the genitourinary system. Often in parallel with this procedure, the attending physician recommends passing the secret of the prostate.
This study is quite simple. It is necessary to place the sperm in the nutrient medium, which will be most favorable for the "cultivation" of microorganisms. For several days it is necessary to maintain a certain temperature. When the microorganisms begin to multiply, it becomes possible to examine them under a microscope. It is easy to establish their number, the rate of growth, as well as sensitivity to antibiotics. Thus, it will be possible to choose the optimal treatment.
Before the analysis, it will be necessary to prepare. Ejaculate for bacterial inoculation is collected exclusively in the morning in a sterile container. First, the man will need to urinate, and then wash his hands with soap and make a hygienic procedure with the sexual organs. After that, the glans penis and foreskin is dried with a sterile wipe. Collection of ejaculate is collected only by masturbation. It should be noted that the walls of the container can not be touched by either the penis or hands.
Before passing the sperm to a bacterial culture, a man will have to follow certain rules. So, refrain from sexual intercourse 5-7 days before the day of analysis. Refuse to drink alcohol for 3-4 days. If a man takes antibiotics, then the sperm is given not earlier than two weeks after the withdrawal of medications.
Sperm analysis is an effective study that helps to find out the cause of infertility in a timely manner and take therapeutic measures. Also, sperm analysis helps diagnose many male ailments, such as prostatitis, infections, various hormonal system disorders, varicocele.
Semen under the microscope
How does the sperm look under the microscope and what can you see by doing this study? To consider all that is happening will have to make a rather large increase in the approximate 400 times. A drop of diluted semen 30 minutes after ejaculation is placed on the glass.
It should be noted that spermatozoa can differ from each other. Each of them performs a certain function. So, fertilizing spermatozoa, they contain only one percent of the ejaculate. They are young, energetic and "athletic" spermatozoa.
There are spermatozoa - killers. Their number exceeds 85%. On the way to the egg they try to get ahead of competitors. In addition, they are able to destroy the sperm of another man, if any. They have a head much more than others. It contains poisonous substances. If you observe this process through a microscope, you will see how the "killers" approach other spermatozoa. During this contact, they release toxic substances and thereby kill their competitor. One such sperm can kill up to 10 others.
There are spermatozoa "ram". Thanks to their attacks, they significantly reduce the walls of the egg and help others to penetrate the shell and finally fertilize the egg.
Spermatozoa are "blockers". They do not penetrate into the uterine cavity and into the fallopian tubes. These spermatozoa remain in the cervix of the uterus and thereby prevent others from penetrating into the interior. Family spermatozoa are able to be produced in the most unfavorable moments of a man's life, mainly during stress. This prevents conception. That's so diverse can be the sperm of a stronger sex.
Blood in the sperm
Hematospermia is one of the diseases, as a result of which blood appears in the semen. Often this symptom is not given any importance. Naturally, in many cases, the blood in the semen produces a serious impression and is of concern.
Sometimes the appearance of blood in the sperm remains unknown and this symptom appears without clinical significance. But in many cases, blood in the semen indicates the presence of a serious disease.
In general, hematospermia occurs in men under 40 years. Blood in the semen can arise as one time, and be repeated periodically. Sometimes this happens after sexual intercourse. But most likely the reason lies in the female genital tract. Therefore, some men take this phenomenon for hematospermia.
The presence of blood in the semen can be associated with problems of the urinary tract. Therefore, in order to establish the cause of bleeding, it is necessary to perform an examination of the kidneys, bladder and ureters. In any case, consultation of the attending physician is necessary. Sperm should be of normal color.
Clumps in the sperm
What can clots say about semen? The lumps in the ejaculate in the form of rice or the jelly-like clumps do not speak at all about the problems. But if they change color, shape and even a smell, then, most likely it is a question of some kind of disease.
During prostatitis, urethritis and stones in the prostate, the clots can be reddish or brownish in color. With some diseases, they can change the smell and color. If these properties are significantly different from the norm, then most likely we are talking about serious diseases.
Yellow clots are a harbinger of vesicle-prostatitis. It is necessary to understand that the frequency of sexual acts affects the density of semen. The more often they occur, the more liquid sperm. With rare sexual acts, it stagnates and thickens. Steep cum may be high fever.
With regular sexual life, clots are not at all normal. Clarify all whether in order will help bakposev secret prostate, spermogram and urine analysis. If there are any pain during sexual intercourse and after it, you will have to do ultrasound. In this case, you can determine what the problem is and why the sperm has become thick.
[14],
Leukocytes in sperm
There are leukocytes in the semen for good reason. Most likely, this process is affected by the inflammatory process in the testicle or its appendages. It can also occur in the prostate gland and urethra.
If you compare the number of leukocytes in the semen, the smear from the urethra and the secretion of the prostate, it will be easy to determine the localization of the inflammatory process. Treatment of prostatitis should be selected correctly. Naturally, it is prescribed only on the basis of leukocytes. But there are other parameters that you should pay attention to. This amount of lecithin grains, amyloid bodies, the presence of microflora and the expansion of seminal vesicles. Knowing such parameters, you can choose a good treatment.
It is always necessary to monitor the number of leukocytes. Therefore, it is necessary to take the tests and take the examination from the doctors all the time. It is impossible to see the presence of leukocytes in semen. This suggests that the sperm must constantly undergo research.
Protein in semen
What influences the protein in the sperm and where does it come from? The prostate gland and seminal vesicles have protein compounds in their composition. They are instantly destroyed during the ejaculation into amino acids by the action of enzymes.
Among the basic amino acids that are secreted by proteins, serine, leucine, glycine, tyrosine, glutamic acid and histidine are present in the seminal plasma. The average amino acid content is about 0.0125 g / ml.
In addition to amino acids and proteins, seminal plasma contains a large number of free amines. This spermidine, choline, spermine and creatine. The latter component is known as creatine growth, which improves brain activity. Creatine in a significant concentration is contained in seminal fluid. He is in full reciprocity of creatine phosphokinase. This is a specific enzyme that is able to maintain its activity in the spots of the seminal plasma for a long time. That's why sperm is the source of many useful components.