Semen analysis

The Semen analysis is the study of the sperm. Is the most important study to evaluate the male fertility. It is carried out macroscopic and microscopically. Parameters are analyzed like pH, volume, liquefaction, viscosity, recount, motility, viability and morphology. Besides a sperm washing is carried out, that is going to permit us to know the number about espermatozoa that are recoveedr after processing the sample.

The parameters that are studied and its values of reference are the following:

pH: pH should be between 7.2 and 8.1, although not evidence exists that a value over 8.1 will be negative. On the other hand, lower values can indicate a genital infection.

Volume: the volume should be over 2 ml. If a sample presents less than 2 ml it is called hypospermia. A lower volume would be able to indicate an obstruction caused by a genital infection, congenital alteration of the deferens conducts, or retrograde ejaculation.

Liquefaction: when the sample is collected it presents a state of coagulation, and needs to be blended to proceed to its study. The liquefaction is given after 20-30 minutes. If it is not produced can indicate any kind of dysfunction at prostatic level.

Viscosity: The semen once milkshake should be slightly more gummy than the water. When the sample is highly gummy, it can be due to a prostatic dysfunction , frequent ejaculation, and/or to a psychological state of the patient. This increase of viscosity does not suppose a direct cause of infertility, but can affect to the subsequent evaluations of the semen,as its concentration and motility.

Recount : the normal values should be above 20 million/ml. If the value is found underneath, the sample is classified according to the number of espermatozoa in the following way:

• Moderate Oligozoospermia: between 10 and 20 million/ml
• Severe Oligozoopermia: between 0.1 and 10 million/ml
• Cryptozoospermia: less than 0.1 million/ml
• Azoospermia: there is no espermatozoa in the semen.

Motility: the motility is based on the observation of the sample through the microscope, and there are different types:

• Class a) Excellent. Fast displacements describing straight paths. (Also it classified as "+++")
• Class b) Moderate. Moderate progressive velocity with straight paths. (Also it classified as "++")
• Class c) not progressive velocity with little or nothing straight paths . (Also it classified as "++") or movement of the espermatozoa without barely displacement. (Also it classified as " +")
• Class d) no motility

Viability or Vitality: the viability permits us to know the number about espermatozoa alive, although they do not move. A color is utilized that stains the espermatozoa dead. When the value is lower than 60%, is a semen sample with necrozoospermia.

Morphology: Is the study of the form of the espermatozoa. It is carried out with the strict criteria of Tygerberg, in which a sample is considered normal when the the number of normal espermatozoa is equal or upper al 4%.

Sperm Washing

In this process are separated the spermatozoa from the seminal liquid. Is a process that occurs "in alive". In the laboratory, this technique is going to permit us to separate the seminal liquid, and also the espermatozoa of good quality of those of poor quality. Is a process of selection. Thus we are going to be able to see the number and motility of the espermatozoa that recover, and this is going to orient us, in necessary case, toward the Assited Reproduction Technique to use.