What is a spermogram and how to prepare for it
Miscellaneous / / July 31, 2021
The analysis must not only be collected correctly, but also passed on time.
What is spermogram
SpermogramSemen Analysis / U.S. National Library of Medicine Is an analysis of freshly harvested semen, which determines its viscosity, acidity and biochemical indicators, as well as investigate the amount, mobility, viability and structure sperm.
The norm is consideredSemen Analysis / U.S. National Library of Medicineif during one ejaculation from 1.5 to 5 ml of sperm is collected, in 1 ml of which there are 20-150 million sperm. Moreover, at least 60% of them must have the correct structure and move forward.
Sperm quality problems may indicate infertility or infection. The latter can also lead to difficulties with conception.
When a spermogram is prescribed
The urologist-andrologist can referSemen Analysis / U.S. National Library of Medicine for analysis, if there is a suspicion of infertility. This diagnosis is made when a couple tries unsuccessfully to conceive a child for 12 months.
In addition, a spermogram is done for men who have decided on a vasectomy.
Vasectomy / U.S. National Library of Medicine. This is the name of the operation, during which the surgeon ligates the vas deferens. Man becomes sterile, but at the same time he retains potency. Analysis in this case is required to make sure that the operation gave the desired effect. Spermogram is doneSemen Analysis / LabTestsOnline not earlier than 3 months after vasectomy.Another study of sperm is carried out with Klinefelter's syndrome.Klinefelter syndrome / U.S. National Library of Medicine, which is usually diagnosed in boys as early as childhood. This is a hereditary disorder in which an extra female chromosome appears. Therefore, in adulthood, a spermogram is prescribed to determine if there is concomitant infertility.
A spermogram is not used to detect infections; in this case, a smear is taken from the urethra. But analysis can reveal signs of a similar disease.
SpermSemen Analysis / U.S. National Library of Medicine more than once. Usually, when diagnosing infertility, at least two tests are done with an interval of up to two to three weeks. And after a vasectomy, the study is carried out until the sex cells disappear in the sperm. That is, their number should gradually decrease.
How to prepare for a spermogram
2-5 days before the examination, the man shouldSemen Analysis / LabTestsOnline stop having sex and masturbating. This is necessary to obtain the most concentrated semen sample. But more than 5 days refrain it is impossible, otherwise sperm motility will decrease and the analysis will be poor.
Also, doctors do not recommend drinking alcohol a few days before sperm donation, because it worsensGetting Pregnant / Mayo Clinic sperm production.
How semen is collected
The most common waySemen Analysis / U.S. National Library of Medicine - This masturbation. It is studied in a laboratory in a specially designated office, while lubricants cannot be used. The ejaculate is collected in a sterile container.
If this method of collecting material is not suitable, you can have sex in a condom without lubrication, which will be given by your doctor.
Some men collect semen at home. But in this case, you needSemen Analysis / U.S. National Library of Medicine deliver it to the laboratory within 30 minutes. It is important that the temperature of the semen does not fall below 36 ° C, otherwise the test result will be invalid. Therefore, during transportation, it is recommended to keep the container closer to the body. For example, in the inner pocket of a jacket.
What indicators are assessed in spermogram
When sperm is checked after a vasectomy, they lookSemen Analysis / LabTestsOnline only for the presence of sperm. If a man is examined for infertility, then many parameters are studied. Here they areSemen Analysis / LabTestsOnline:
- Volume. The normal amount of ejaculate is 1.5–5 ml, or about a teaspoon. If there are few sperm, then there will be fewer cells in it, and this is not a very good sign.
- Viscosity. At first, the seminal fluid should be thick, and after 15–20 minutes it should liquefy. If this does not happen, the germ cells will not be able to move quickly.
- Acidity, or pH. The norm is 7.2-7.8. If the indicator is above 8.0 - this is a sign of infection, and below 7.0 - most likely, urine got into the sample or the man's seminal duct is blocked. In the second case, substances that affect the pH do not enter the sperm.
- Sperm concentration. This is the number of cells in 1 ml of ejaculate. The normal figure is at least 20 million, and the total amount in the received sperm should be more than 80 million.
- The mobility of the germ cells. In a good sample, more than 50% of the sperm are motile even one hour after ejaculation. Moreover, they move forward with good speed. If less than half of the cells are moving, a viability test is done to find dead sperm.
- Sex cell morphology. This is the name of the study of the shape, size and structure of sperm. The more of them have deviations, the higher the likelihood of infertility. Normally, there should be no more than 40% defective sperm.
- Concentration of fructose. Normal reading is 150 mg / dl. If it is lower, this indicates a lack of nutrients for sperm.
- The number of leukocytes. 1 ml of sperm should contain no more than 1 million of these cells. Exceeding the norm indicates the presence of infection.
- Sperm agglutination. This is when they stick together. In this case, the sperm will not be able to fertilize the egg. Agglutination appears if a man has antibodies to germ cells. This is possible due to infection or contamination. For example, an unwashed penis or a dirty jar.
What to do if there are abnormalities in the spermogram
If the doctor discovers that some indicators are not normal and there are signs of infection or male infertility, he will prescribe an additional examination. Based on its results, they will chooseSemen Analysis / LabTestsOnline a suitable method of treatment.
When a spermogram is done after a vasectomy and the number of germ cells in the sample is not decreasing, a second operation may be required.
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