Decoding Your Sperm Analysis Report

Key Parameters of a Semen Analysis

A lab will look at several factors when analyzing a semen sample. The reference values are typically based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

Sperm Count (Concentration)

This is the number of sperm per milliliter of semen. A normal count is generally considered to be 15 million sperm/mL or more.

Motility

This refers to the percentage of sperm that are moving. For fertility, sperm need to be able to "swim" forward to reach and fertilize an egg. The report usually looks at:

• Total Motility: The percentage of all moving sperm. A normal value is typically 40% or more.
• Progressive Motility: The percentage of sperm that are moving forward in a straight line. This is a very important measure, with a normal value often cited as 32% or more.

Morphology

This is the shape and structure of the sperm. The test measures the percentage of sperm that have a normal shape (oval head and a long tail). While it may seem alarming, it's normal for the vast majority of sperm to be abnormally shaped. A normal result might only require 4% of sperm to have a normal shape, according to strict criteria.

Other Important Factors

• Volume: The total amount of semen in the ejaculate. A normal volume is 1.5 mL or more.
• pH: A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the semen.
• White Blood Cells: A high number of white blood cells can indicate an infection.

What Do Abnormal Results Mean?

An abnormal result in one or more of these areas does not necessarily mean you are infertile. Sperm parameters can fluctuate significantly. If a result is abnormal, your doctor will likely recommend repeating the test in a few weeks or months. If the results remain abnormal, further investigation into the cause, such as a hormonal evaluation or physical exam, will be recommended to look for treatable conditions like a varicocele.