Sperm count , Indications and Normal Values

August 3, 2022 Helal Medical

Sperm count is also called Semen analysis or infertility test for man. It is used as an indicator for man’s fertility, because It measures the number of sperms produced per ejaculation (number/ejaculate) . when the number of sperms is low , that can lead to infertility.

What does sperm count mean?

It is a test of a man’s sperm and semen , that is processed in a medical laboratory. It shows how many sperms are released, how sperms are shaped (morphology of sperms) and their motility whether motile or dead.

A sperm Test measures 3 major factors:

– the number of sperms per milliliter , and in the whole ejaculate.
– Shape of the sperms , how many are normal and how many are deformed.
– And the movement of the sperm, known as “sperm motility” , where we count the percentage of motile and non-motile sperms.

Indications of sperm count test

Why do you need Sperm test?
– To test male infertility in couples who are unable to conceive. Man need to undergo for testing If he and his partner cannot make a child, provided that they are living together for a long time (1-2 years). Also it is requested after vasectomy to confirm the success of the operation. In cases of genital tract infection , semen analysis is required to check whether the sample has pus cells or blood.

Semen Analysis Procedures

A semen analysis procedure involves two steps , one is pre-preparation second is Sample collection in the following ways:

1- Preparation for sperm count test

Before submitting the semen sample to the laboratory for testing , you must consider the following:

Avoid ejaculation (sex or masturbation) for 3 days at least before the test.
No alcohol, no caffeine, and no drugs for five days before the test , as they may affect the result.
Avoid any hormone medications for one week at least.

2- Sample collection procedure:

You have to ejaculate into a collection cup in a private room at laboratory office.
Also , You can collect the sample at home , which is not recommended , but you have to keep it at room temperature and deliver to the lab , in less than 1 hour.
During sample , you have to avoid lubricants , because they may be mixed with the sample and affect the results.

What do you expect to know from the test?

In the lab , the sample will be processed. Results may be released at the same day (after 4-5 hours). The sample is tested Physically ( by naked eye to check for the physical properties. Then , examined under a microscope. The results obtained are released in a report , which include the following in summary:

Physical characters:
– Volume –The normal volume of an ejaculate should be greater than 2ml
– Appearance – Greyish white , (whitish to gray in color).
– Reaction (pH) – Normal is alkaline , (between 7.2 and 7.8).
– Viscosity (Liquefaction) – 15-30 minutes normally.
Sperm count – The normal count is more than 15 million/ml and total ejaculate sperm count is more than 39 million /sample .
Microscopically:
– Sperm morphology (shape) – Normal shape and size must be more than 4% of the sperms.
– Sperm motility (movement) – It must be more than 32% progressive motile sperms .