One of the mandatory types of research for candidates for sperm donors or men who have problems conceiving is a spermogram. It allows you to determine pathological deviations of the ejaculate. But to obtain reliable indicators, it is necessary that the preparation for the spermogram is carried out correctly.

The essence of the examination

A spermogram is a laboratory examination of seminal fluid to identify its quality, determine motility and the total number of active sperm. Most often, this procedure is performed to determine the cause of male infertility, which occurs with the same frequency as female inability to conceive a child. A spermogram is prepared in 3 stages:

1. A macroscopic study of the properties of sperm is carried out.
2. The number of sperm per certain volume of seminal fluid is calculated.
3. The presence of leukocytes is detected.

You can take a spermogram in regular clinics, but special laboratories at family planning centers are best prepared for this. When donating sperm, you need to take into account all the requirements that include preparing for a spermogram. Otherwise, the results will be distorted and this procedure will have to be repeated several times.

What should you limit yourself to?

Normally, in a healthy man, the sperm count should look like this:

1. The concentration of germ cells per 1 mm is at least 20 million.
2. Of these, 30% should have a normal shape.
3. The minimum number of living male cells is 75%.
4. 50% of the total volume moves and 25% of them are characterized by increased activity.

In order for the procedure to show accurate results, you need to understand that you need to prepare for the spermogram in detail. A specialist will explain what needs to be done for this and what needs to be avoided before taking a spermogram. As a rule, for this a man has to not only abstain from sex, but also limit himself in diet, physical activity, etc.

• Sex.

Abstaining from sexual intercourse before a spermogram is a prerequisite for preparation. Sex should be avoided at least 2 days before ejaculate collection. The maximum permissible period of abstinence before taking the test is 6 days. A preparation period exceeding this period will distort the final results. After 6 or 7 days of abstinence, old sperm accumulate in the male seminal fluid, some of which die. The rest take a degenerative form and become incapable of fertilization.

• Nutrition.

To properly prepare for the analysis, a man needs to balance his diet. The diet during the preparation period should include fish, lean meat, vegetables, and herbs. At least 7 days before the test, you should not eat fatty or fried foods. A study conducted by scientists showed that the group that ate fatty foods before taking the test had a sperm concentration that was 38% lower than that of men who followed the preparation rules. In addition, their total number of germ cells was 43% lower than that of the group that did not consume fatty foods during the preparation period.

The most dangerous are unsaturated fats that retain their density and consistency at room temperatures:

1. Oil.
2. Margarine.
3. Animal fat.

Most often they can be found in chocolate, fast food, and confectionery. In addition to fatty foods, you should not drink strong tea or black coffee during this period.

If it was not possible to avoid eating prohibited foods during preparation, then a few days before the test it is recommended to increase the amount of vitamins in the body by including more fruits and vegetables in the diet. This will speed up the process of maturation of male germ cells in the testicles. In addition, you can additionally use vitamin complexes, but only a doctor can determine the exact dosage and how many days they need to be taken.

A balanced diet and vitamins have a positive effect on sperm parameters.

Alcohol

Before a spermogram, you should avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol has a complex negative effect on male reproductive cells:

1. Reduces their total number.
2. Reduces mobility.
3. Changes shape.
4. Increases the number of dead sperm.

In this case, you need to prepare for the test at least a week in advance. At the same time, abstinence should be not only from any types of alcoholic beverages, but also from taking narcotic substances. Otherwise, this may lead to false final results.

Drug treatment

It is necessary to prepare for the test taking into account the general health of the man. If a man has inflammation of the genitourinary system or colds that require treatment, then a spermogram can be taken only a week after laboratory parameters have normalized. Over a shorter period, the drugs will not be completely eliminated from the body, which will affect the results of the sperm examination. If a man took hormonal pills, then a spermogram can be taken only after six months.

It is mandatory that a spermogram is not carried out when body temperature rises, as this is accompanied by general intoxication of the body and significantly distorts the final results of the study.

If a man is sick, it is better to postpone taking a spermogram until he recovers.

Psychological and physical stress

Preparation for a spermogram includes abstaining from heavy physical activity on the eve of the test. If this rule is not followed, active production of lactic acid occurs, even a small volume of which leads to a deterioration in the characteristics of the seminal fluid.

Emotional stress will also lead to incorrect research results. In this case, the cause of changes in the qualities of the male germ cells will be testosterone, which begins to be actively produced during stressful situations. Therefore, when preparing, already the day before the test, a man must take care of his peace of mind and get a good night’s sleep before the procedure. It is preferable to donate sperm after a weekend, during which the man can fully relax and get rid of overwork.

Visiting the sauna

To obtain a high-quality spermogram, it is necessary to refrain from any exposure to high temperatures for 10–12 days. This applies not only to visiting a sauna or bathhouse, but also to a solarium, beach, etc. It will not be possible to do the study after hot baths or warming up the area of ​​the genitourinary system. High temperatures lead to the death of sperm and a decrease in the process of producing new male germ cells, which will lead to an incorrect result.

An analysis performed correctly will make it possible to timely identify the problem and take the necessary measures to solve it. But it should be remembered that if you fail to comply with even one recommendation for abstinence, you will have to take it again, but only after properly preparing.

Detection of infertility in men is most often carried out through the collection and research of information. Few of the male population know how to take a spermogram, but only the right preparation will allow you to get the right results and avoid false indicators and deviations from the norm.

What it is?

A spermogram is a study of sperm to determine infertility. But this type of analysis can be carried out not only to confirm or refute the ability to conceive, but also it is prescribed to men to identify the need for surgical intervention. For example, the procedure may be performed in a clinic if there is a suspicion of varicocele or cancer.

Among other things, men who want to freeze germ cells for use in artificial insemination must also undergo a check and pass all the necessary tests.

If infertility is suspected, material for research is simultaneously taken from a married couple.

The diagnosis of infertility is made to those couples who, within a year, cannot conceive a child with full sexual activity without contraception. Research by scientists has shown that throughout the world there are fifteen percent of married couples who cannot have children. Of these, in half of the cases, male abnormal sperm counts are to blame. But fifty percent of ejaculate pathologies are treatable and correctable.

Causes of infertility in the stronger sex:

• general unsatisfactory condition of the body;
• negative environmental impact;
• improper lifestyle, bad habits;
• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• genetics;
• improper functioning of the immune system;
• difficult working conditions, nervous tension, stress.

Preparation

Before the procedure, a man needs to prepare properly. There are rules that must be followed if reliable results are to be obtained.

3-5 days before the process of donating ejaculate, you need to exclude all forms of sexual activity. If you do the procedure the next day after sexual intercourse, then the amount of semen will be negligible.

But you need to abstain from sexual activity for no more than 4 days. If a man has not had sex with his partner for a long time, the activity of the germ cells will noticeably decrease.

You cannot visit baths, saunas, or take hot baths. It is necessary to ensure that the body does not overheat 7-10 days before visiting the laboratory.

A week before the test, you can go on a diet that should exclude all fatty, spicy and fried foods. Alcoholic drinks and various medications are also prohibited.

Alcoholic drinks destroy the body's defenses, and because of this, metabolic processes begin to suffer. Ethyl alcohol adversely affects the liver, digestive tract and genitals. If the patient regularly drinks strong drinks, the spermogram results will be disappointing: doctors can identify pathologies of reproductive function. Complete renewal of sperm will occur only when the man completely gives up alcohol.

The use of antibiotics is especially prohibited. The side effects of such drugs greatly affect the body's functions. As a result, spermatogenesis is inhibited. This fact is significantly reflected in the results of laboratory research.

It is worth remembering that the composition of germ cells is updated only three months after the complete end of taking medications.

It is also necessary to avoid heavy loads, stressful situations and overwork. If the patient falls ill the day before or begins to feel unsatisfactory, the procedure should be postponed until the man has fully recovered.

What to take with you to the clinic?

In order to undergo the procedure and donate sperm for analysis, private clinics have special rooms containing everything necessary. The patient does not need to take with him hygiene items, magazines or videos for stimulation, a towel, a container and other items.

Most public clinics do not provide such amenities. If the institution has a room for carrying out the procedure, it is not at all equipped with viewing materials, soap, etc. Therefore, on the eve of the test, you need to ask what you need to take with you and what you should not take.

How to submit?

The attending physician will tell you how to take a spermogram correctly when prescribing the test and will repeat this before the procedure.

The surest way to get semen is through masturbation. Other methods have side effects and may lead to false results.

During the process, the use of a condom is strictly prohibited. Firstly, the lubricant that is applied to latex significantly distorts the results of the study. Secondly, the effect of latex on germ cells has not yet been studied and therefore it is better not to take risks.

Interrupted sexual intercourse is also unacceptable, as significant loss of substances is possible. In addition, leukocytes, flora and various impurities are more likely to get into the sperm from the vagina. To collect and transport the ejaculate, you will need a sterile plastic container, which is sold in pharmacies or medical institutions.

Private clinics have special rooms with a sofa and various magazines, and also have video equipment to encourage relaxation and excitement.

There are no such rooms in public hospitals, or they are only in exceptional institutions. Therefore, the seed must be collected at home and brought to the laboratory.

But it is worth noting that if the procedure is carried out incorrectly at home, sterility is not observed, or transportation is carried out in violation of the temperature regime and with high fluctuations, the germ cells may be damaged. As a result, the results of the analysis will turn out to be bad and false.

Actions when taking tests.

• Empty your bladder.
• Wash your hands and genitals with antibacterial soap.
• Carefully open the plastic container without touching its inner walls.
• Collect material for research in a jar. If any part of the seminal fluid was lost during collection, then this should be reported to a specialist.
• Close the container tightly.
• Take it to the laboratory, where tests will be carried out within an hour.

To ensure the absence of immunological infertility, a man also needs to pass a MAP test. The attending physician should consult about all the rules and nuances before the procedure.

Seminal fluid for research should be donated 2-3 times within two months. This is done in order to find out whether the pathologies are permanent or transitory. Only the attending physician decides how long it takes to undergo the procedure. Most often this happens after two or three weeks.

Survey results

The results of the study are given to the man on a special card 2–3 days after the procedure. If the tests reveal pathologies, the patient is prescribed treatment.

It is not recommended to independently decipher the data on the form, since each laboratory has its own table of standards. It is best to contact the attending physician at the clinic where the procedure was performed with the results.

The ejaculate component is assessed according to several indicators and passes the Kruger scale:

1. quantity, degree of viscosity and color of the seed;
2. mobility and structure;
3. sperm concentration;
4. the presence of various bacteria and infections.

Based on the results of the analysis, specialists make diagnoses:

• Oligozoospermia. Low sperm count is considered if there are about 15 million ejaculates in one milliliter of fluid.
• Polyspermy. An increased number of germ cells, which is not considered a deviation from the norm.
• Asthenozoospermia. Quite low sperm motility.
• Taratozoospermia. A small number of sperm with the correct structure.
• Oligospermia. Big lack of ejaculate.
• Aspermia. A serious illness when a man has no sperm.
• Azoospermia. Absence of germ cells in sperm.
• Necrosperyname. Lack of mobile seeds. But, contrary to the name of the diagnosis, the immobile germ cell is not dead at all. It can be successfully used even for artificial insemination of a woman.

• Cryptospermia. The most common diagnosis that specialists make after carrying out all the procedures to identify infertility in a man. This conclusion means the detection of germ cell units in the sediment after centrifugation. Experts also use similar ejaculates to artificially inseminate a woman.
• Autoimmune conflict. The Mar test coefficient is too high. This means that more than half of the germ cells are enveloped in immune antibodies.
• Leukocytospermia. Large number of leukocytes. But it is worth noting that such bodies do not always mean inflammation. For example, tension in the pelvic veins or scrotal veins can provoke an increased number of white blood cells. After the diagnosis of leukocytospermia, it is necessary to identify the causes, exclude inflammation and take samples for bacterial culture. And only after this it is necessary to draw conclusions and carry out appropriate treatment.
• Hematosperemia. Bloody discharge in semen. One of the most common causes is inflammation of the seminal vesicles and weak vascular walls.

It is worth noting that in most cases, all diagnoses are not permanent and can be easily corrected.

Preparing for a spermogram is an important issue of interest to most men who are faced with problems of procreation and disorders of the reproductive system. A number of diseases have been described in medicine that affect the genitourinary system of the stronger sex. A spermogram is the best technique today, which allows you to more accurately determine the ability of a man, or rather, his biological material, to fertilize a woman’s egg. In order for the analysis to provide more accurate results, it is very important to prepare for a spermogram in compliance with special rules. Below we will discuss how to properly prepare for the analysis.

When a spermogram is required, how does the process go?

Any tests must be prescribed for a man by a doctor. There must be indications for a spermogram. Spermogram readings are determined by:

1. Testing the fertility of a representative of the stronger sex.
2. Study of the ability of sperm fertilization.
3. Problems conceiving within 6 months.
4. Study of sperm activity, quality of testicular function.

The analysis is carried out in two steps:

1. At the first stage, a study of the properties of the material is carried out. The examination is mainly carried out in order to study the viscosity of the material, as well as the time during which it liquefies. In addition, at this stage, sperm volumes, acidity of the material, color and consistency are studied.
2. At the second stage, sperm is examined under a microscope. The medical device allows you to accurately count the number of sperm. At this stage, sperm motility and quality are studied. The ratio of motile and immobile cells is studied. Determine whether there is inflammation (if a large percentage of leukocytes is detected in the sperm).

How to properly prepare for research?

Exceptionally correct, competent preparation for a spermogram makes it possible to establish the correct diagnosis. How to prepare correctly? Doctors have identified several rules that are extremely important to follow. Preparing for a spermogram consists of 10 points, and it is important to comply with all of them. None of the points can be excluded, since otherwise the result will be incorrect and the diagnosis made will be erroneous. The preparation is simple:

1. Before the spermogram, approximately 7 days before the test, the patient must adhere to a special diet. Fatty foods, canned food, coffee drinks, and strong teas should be removed from the patient’s menu. This is done in order to get the correct result, since the above foods help reduce semen volume and reduce sperm motility. To create conditions for increasing sperm activity, it is recommended to include dairy products, protein-rich foods, and foods rich in vitamins in the diet.
2. In preparation for the study, you need to abstain from sexual intercourse for 2-3 days. This is necessary to ensure that the research data is as accurate as possible. If you do not abstain, sperm volumes may be small and the test will be inaccurate. However, you need to know that abstinence for more than a week can also distort the spermogram results. If abstinence lasts more than 7 days, sperm will die in the seminal vesicles.
3. In preparation for the test, approximately 7 days before the test, you should completely abstain from alcoholic beverages. Alcohol reduces sperm motility, reduces their activity, changes shape and at the same time increases the number of inactive sperm.
4. If a man is diagnosed with diseases of the genitourinary system, then it is important to first cure the inflammatory process, and only then prepare for a spermogram. The course of treatment for inflammation must be completed no later than 7 days before the study. This is necessary in order for medications to be removed from the body, as they can distort the results of the study.
5. The procedure should be rescheduled in case of acute respiratory viral infection or acute respiratory infections. The study can be done after complete recovery, since intoxication during the period of illness will distort the result of the spermogram.
6. To properly prepare, you should avoid going to the bathhouse or sauna, since the high temperatures that affect a man’s body interfere with the maturation of new cells.
7. A man is prohibited from working out in the gym before the procedure and generally overloading the body, as this will also distort the results of the spermogram.
8. Depressive states and stress should be avoided, as this affects hormonal levels, and as a result, study indicators change.
9. Under no circumstances should you massage the prostate, even if the procedure was prescribed by a doctor. Prostate massage worsens sperm quality and distorts test results.
10. Before the study, you need to get a very good night's sleep and rest.

A spermogram as a study is very effective, but only with proper preparation can one guarantee correct results, on which the diagnosis will depend and effective treatment will be prescribed.

Submission rules

The main method of taking the test is masturbation. It is believed that it is better to take the test in a clinic than at home, since while the patient is transporting the material from home, he cannot always maintain the correct temperature conditions for transportation and the optimal time of delivery to the laboratory. Patients usually make the same mistakes. The main ones are the following:

1. The material is collected in non-sterile, dirty containers. Plastic containers are tested and must not be toxic to germ cells.
2. The ejaculate is brought in a condom.
3. The material was obtained during interrupted sexual intercourse.
4. Sperm collected in insufficient volumes.
5. Sperm was transported at the wrong temperature. Permissible temperature limits are from 20 to 36 °C.

Analysis results

A spermogram allows you to determine the quality and quantity of sperm and evaluates the possibility of conceiving a child. It is recognized in medicine that sperm analysis and its further research are an important method for assessing the functionality of the gonads and the fertility of representatives of the stronger half. The study is prescribed at the first visit to a urologist or andrologist if infertility is suspected. When the spermogram is normal, then one study is enough.

The recommendations of the Ministry of Health explain that in case of a negative result, a spermogram should be performed again at an interval of 1-3 weeks. If the results of the first and second studies differ greatly, then the spermogram with the best indicators is taken for research. In this case, the main criterion will be sperm motility.

The spermogram result is given to the patient without description. The transcript is made by the attending doctor during the appointment after the study. The norms for the study indicators will be given below, but only a doctor can prescribe treatment. Nomes of indicators are presented for volumes of material from 2 to 6 ml, with a sperm concentration of 20 million/ml and 40 million in the total volume. Mobility is divided into categories, they are as follows:

1. Active. They move very quickly and correctly. Not less than 25%.
2. Sedentary. They move slowly, progressively. Normal is a symbiosis of active and weakly active cells, at least 50% of the total number.
3. Swinging. They move slowly and sway at the same time. From 5 to 15%.
4. Fixed. Older sperm that have died or are dying. From 10 to 20%.

It is important to understand that every man has all four categories of motility, and this is associated with different ages of sperm. High-quality sperm should be morphologically more than 50%.

Normally there should be no adhesion or agglutination. The acidity of the material should be between 7.2 and 8 pH. It takes more than an hour for the ejaculate to liquefy - this is the norm. The viscosity should be no more than 2 cm. If the viscosity is increased, then when moving, the cells quickly lose energy, and the possibility of meeting an egg is reduced.

The MAR test is positive if at least 50% of the mobile material, the ejaculate, is coated with antibodies is detected. A standard spermogram regards them as normal, but these cells do not take part in the fertilization of the egg, because antibodies act as an obstacle. A MAR test with negative results may indicate that the patient is infertile. After examining the spermogram, the doctor makes one of the following diagnoses:

1. When the tests are normal and the patient is healthy, the doctor diagnoses normospermia.
2. If the sperm count is low, the doctor diagnoses oligozoospermia.
3. With low sperm motility, a diagnosis of asthenozoospermia is made.
4. With a low number of normal forms, a diagnosis of teratozoospermia is made.
5. If there is a complete absence of cells in the ejaculate, azoospermia is diagnosed.
6. In the complete absence of sperm, the doctor diagnoses aspermia. In this case, an additional examination is prescribed for the presence of retrograde ejaculation.

A doctor can diagnose necrozoospermia in the complete absence of living cells. The diagnosis of leukocytospermia is possible when the leukocyte count is exceeded. Hemospermia - in the presence of red blood cells in the material.

Limitations to the study

1. If over the course of 30 days a man’s body temperature rises to 38-39 °C at least once.
2. If a man took medications, antibiotics for 90 days.
3. Immediately after sexual intercourse with a woman.
4. After visiting a sauna, steam bath or after taking a hot bath.
5. During the period of acute colds.
6. After taking alcoholic drinks and medications.
7. During the period of exacerbation of pathological diseases.
8. If urethritis is diagnosed.
9. If prostatitis is diagnosed.
10. If orchitis is diagnosed.
11. If cystitis is diagnosed.
12. After massaging the prostate.
13. After experiencing stress or during a period of depression.

Treatment of infertility in men

Therapy for male infertility includes:

1. Surgical treatment.
2. Treatment of infection.
3. Treatment of sexual problems.
4. Correction of hormonal imbalance, hormonal therapy.
5. Treatment with physiotherapy.
6. Assisted reproductive technologies.

The principle of infertility treatment is to conduct an examination of both partners: both the man and the woman. When diagnosing and treating infertility in a man, it is necessary to take into account the fertile status of his partner. This status may influence the result.

In addition, the urologist must examine the man for the presence of infections of the genitourinary system, since in order to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment, the exact cause must be known. It is very important not to despair, but to start treatment. With modern medicine, good treatment results can be achieved. Perseverance and common sense will definitely be rewarded.

A spermogram is necessary to identify the causes of possible infertility in men for couples who do not have children.

Many families want to have offspring and are examined to find out why there is no pregnancy. The wife does this first; if nothing is found, it is the man’s turn.

But often he does not want to examine the sperm, preferring to leave everything as it is. Today we’ll talk about what it means to take a spermogram.

Why is analysis needed?

Infertility is common these days. 50% of cases are men's fault. In addition to pathological processes in the body, the cause of infertility is the modern pace of life - stress, chronic fatigue, sexually transmitted diseases, ecology.

Spermogram testing is needed to determine the quality of the semen, the mobility of the livestock, and the ability to connect with the egg. A bad result does not always indicate infertility.

The composition of seminal fluid can change over a short period of time, for different reasons.

Taking a spermogram will determine not only a man’s ability to conceive, but also identify diseases of the genitourinary system. Additional examinations will help establish an accurate diagnosis and begin timely treatment.

In what cases is it handed over:

• The main reason for which it is prescribed is the inability of a couple to have children. If for a long period of 1-1.5 years the spouse cannot become pregnant, the andrologist recommends that both of them undergo an examination.
• The main test a man does is a spermogram. If young people cannot conceive a child naturally, IVF is prescribed.
• The analysis is performed to determine the pathology of the male reproductive system. Its indicators will help determine your overall health.

Preparation

1. Alcohol and nicotine negatively affect the quality of sperm. 7 days before donating the ejaculate, you must completely eliminate alcohol and do not smoke.
2. A balanced diet has a beneficial effect on the male body. Refrain from spicy, salty foods. Do not eat foods containing chemical elements (canned food, pates, stews).
3. The temperature required for gamete maturation is 33-35 degrees. Its increase negatively affects spermatogenesis, so you should not visit the sauna, baths, or take hot baths.
4. Leading a chaotic life, constant stress, negative emotions - all this negatively affects reproductive function.
5. Tight synthetic clothing is not suitable for men. The blood flow to the genitals is blocked, the temperature increases - this is harmful to health and causes diseases of the reproductive system.
6. Medicines affect the test result. You should stop taking them within a week, you should consult your doctor, when you can’t stop drinking, it’s required (for some diseases).
7. You need to abstain from sexual intercourse for 5-7 days. A week is the optimal time for the accumulation of ejaculate in the required quantities; substances accumulate that will help to accurately perform an analysis and determine any ailments that have arisen.
8. Donating sperm if you have a cold or previous inflammation of the genitourinary system is not recommended. It is necessary that at least 14 days have passed since the illness.

If the rules for taking a spermogram have been followed, but the result shows deviations from the norm, do not despair. The initial analysis does not reflect the real picture of the disease and cannot be final; the study must be continued.

Having prepared, retake it in two or three weeks. This result will also not be final. To more accurately determine deviations in the analysis, it is necessary at least three times, the average result is displayed.

How to take a spermogram

To be sure, it is better to come to the clinic. At home, the analysis is not always sterile.
And also due to the fact that it was delivered to the laboratory with a delay, one of the indicators - liquefaction - cannot be determined.

To take a spermogram at home, you must follow the following rules:

• There must be sterile containers, preferably taken from the clinic. It is strictly forbidden to collect sperm in a condom; its lubrication has a detrimental effect on the ejaculate.
• The biomaterial must be delivered to the clinic within 45-60 minutes to determine liquefaction.
• During transportation, it should not be shaken too much; the temperature regime must be observed, as this can lead to distorted results.

Clinic

There are rules that are mandatory for the implementation and reliability of the analysis.

• First, a man needs to wash his hands and penis with soap. This is necessary to maintain hygiene when donating biomaterial.
• The office in which the process takes place must be well heated. This is important for the accuracy of the result. At low temperatures, the composition of the ejaculate will be disrupted. Optimal 18-20 degrees.
• How long does the procedure take? For this purpose, a separate room is provided, which can be closed from the inside so that the patient feels free. There is no time limit.
• How is the analysis taken? Ejaculate is obtained through masturbation. Other forms are not acceptable. The man is in the office by himself.
• What do you need for this? Sperm collection should be done in a sterile plastic or glass container provided by the clinic.
• What if you can’t take the test yourself? Special literature, music, and videos are used to help the man relax.
• The container must be signed. Full name, time, period of abstinence, amount of liquid. If part of the seed was lost during collection, this should be indicated on the container.

In ejaculate, it is not the quantity of live bait that is important, but their quality. To establish the morphology of sperm, in addition to the spermogram, a Kruger test is performed.

It includes the following indicators:

1. How much fluid comes out during ejaculation.
2. How many gametes are in 1 ml, the total number in the ejaculate.
3. Appearance according to Kruger.
4. Mobility.
5. Adhesion test.
6. Other elements of seminal fluid.
7. Chemical composition.

Morphology scores average 30-87%. Sometimes 15% of live sperm are allowed, which is enough for fertilization.

Where to take it

Private clinics are equipped with modern rooms, comfortable conditions, and the ability to quickly and efficiently perform analysis.

Ordinary laboratories are not equipped for delivery; ejaculate can be brought there from home, but there is a possibility of distortion, since the spermogram must be transported correctly.

If the first result is not normal, it is recommended to repeat it 3-4 times within 2 months, preferably in different laboratories.

A correctly completed analysis will help you understand the situation faster. You need to be patient to pass this test. Read new articles on men's health on our website.

It is carried out on the basis of a survey and collection of information. The main test for infertility in men is a spermogram (examination of ejaculate for fertility). Proper preparation for a spermogram allows you to obtain reliable data and avoid distortion of indicators and deviations from the norm.

The analysis is carried out not only to confirm and determine the ability to conceive. In some cases, a study is prescribed to determine the need for surgery, for example, for varicocele or upcoming treatment of cancer (for the purpose).

As you know, a sign of infertility is the inability of a couple who have been sexually active without using any contraception for a year to conceive a child. Worldwide, up to 15% of couples are infertile. Of these, 50% are infertile (abnormal parameters of the ejaculate). In 50% of cases the problem can be resolved with a positive outcome.

• How can a man get tested for infertility?
• Reasons for changes in male fertility
• Preparing for a spermogram
• Male factor infertility

How can a man be tested for infertility?

Examinations for men and women with infertility are prescribed simultaneously. But diagnosing male infertility is done earlier than in women, because it is easier.

How to test a man for infertility? To begin with, it is enough to prepare and take a spermogram. Examining ejaculate is not difficult and it immediately becomes clear whether it is necessary to further examine the spouse or look for the cause in the woman.

Causes of male infertility

The causes of infertility in men are often factors that can be corrected in 50% of cases. Among them:

• general health status;
• negative environmental factors;
• Lifestyle;
• urological diseases;
• genetic reasons;
• incorrect functioning of the immune system.

When should you not delay and take a spermogram?

• In the presence of an anamnesis of operations on the organs of the scrotum and in the groin area (varicocele, cryptorchidism, inguinal hernia, dropsy, adnexal cysts).
• For inflammatory diseases of the genital organs: epididymitis, orchitis, mumps (mumps). You especially need to be wary if the disease is of chlamydial etiology).
• If the woman is over 35 years old.

In the above cases, regular sex life is needed for 3-6 months, if so, it should be.

Preparing for a spermogram

Preparation for taking a spermogram includes:

• Sexual abstinence before taking the test for 3-5 days. Moreover, all forms of sexual activity are excluded.
• Be sure to avoid overheating. And this needs to be done a few days earlier: not 3-5 days, but 7-10 days before a man is tested for infertility (baths, saunas and hot baths)
• Preparation before taking a spermogram is a mandatory limitation of fatty, spicy, fried foods and the exclusion of alcohol intake.

Test for infertility in men. What do you need to know?

When preparing before a spermogram, you need to take into account that the development cycle of spermatogenesis - from the birth of a sperm in the testicle to its entry into the sperm - lasts on average 72 days (65-75 days).

During this time, the quality of the ejaculate may be affected by unfavorable factors. For example, severe pneumonia with a high temperature of up to 40 C°. Therefore, within two months, when taking the test, signs of male infertility may be revealed (although in reality this will not be reliable). Therefore, if you know that something serious has happened to a man over the last 3 months, wait until 3 months have passed and take the spermogram again.

Ejaculate is a multicomponent mixture, each component of which is important and is assessed in conjunction with other spermogram indicators.

In the analysis of ejaculate, first of all, the following indicators are assessed:

• the number of sperm, the so-called concentration in 1 ml and total (for the entire volume of sperm);
• ability to move – mobility;
• morphology is what sperm look like - the correctness of their structure.

Male factor infertility

1. Oligozoospermia– decrease in sperm count. For example, 15 million sperm per ml and below is considered oligozoospermia. There is such a term as polyspermy, when the number of sperm is increased. This is not considered bad.
2. Asthenozoospermia– decreased mobility.
3. Taratozoospermia– reduction in the number of germ cells with an ideal anatomical structure.
4. Oligospermia - a small amount of the seed itself (less than 1.5 ml).
5. Aspermia - complete absence of ejaculate - no sperm is released.
6. – there is sperm, but there are no sperm in it.
7. Combined forms, for example, oligoasthenoteratospermia.
8. Necrospermia – absence of mobile forms. In the modern world, an immobile sperm does not mean dead. And the word “necro” means dead. Nowadays, among immobile spermatozoa, using the hypoosmolar swelling test, living forms can be identified and used in the program.
9. Cryptospermia is a very common finding when visiting reproductive clinics for the purpose of IVF for male factor infertility. This is the detection of single sperm in the sediment after centrifugation. That is, in native sperm, spermatozoa are not detected during normal analysis, but during centrifugation, mobile or immobile single male germ cells are detected. Which doctors have learned to use for fertilization.
10. Autoimmune conflict– this increases more than 50% of sperm are covered with immune antibodies.
11. Leukocytospermia(pyospermia) – an increase in the number of leukocytes. Leukocytes are not always a sign of inflammation. Congestion - venous tension of the pelvic veins, scrotal veins with varicocele can be caused by an increased content of leukocytes. After this conclusion, you need, first of all, to understand where these leukocytes come from, find out their origin, rule out inflammation, and do a bacterial culture. Only then, having proven the diagnosis, treat the inflammatory process.
12. Hematosperemia – blood in semen. The most common cause is vesiculitis - inflammation of the seminal vesicles or weakness of the vascular wall of the vesicles due to venous stagnation. Up to 65% of the volume of the total ejaculate is formed in the seminal vesicles.

It must be remembered that in many cases the male factor of infertility is unstable and can be corrected.

The best method for taking a spermogram according to WHO recommendations is masturbation. Other methods have disadvantages. Interrupted sexual intercourse is undesirable because it may result in the loss of some sperm, the addition of impurities, leukocytes, and flora. The use of a condom is not allowed. In the production of condoms, a bactericidal lubricant is used, which distorts the analysis results. Condoms without lubricant are available, but the effect of latex on sperm has not been studied.

Before taking a spermogram, you need to purchase a sterile plastic, biologically inert container. This glassware is convenient for transportation and work in the laboratory.

In paid clinics there are specially equipped rooms for taking spermograms (sperm delivery or masturbation rooms), with a sofa and comfortable furnishings, with a device for playing video.

In order to take a spermogram, you can invite your spouse. The room is locked. The man must control himself, achieve orgasm and collect the ejaculate in a special container. The sample is immediately sent to the laboratory. Collecting semen for analysis at home and bringing it to the clinic is possible in exceptional cases. Improper transportation, violation of temperature conditions, fluctuations during movement damage male reproductive cells. As a result, poor diagnostics and unreliable results.

Ordinary clinics are not yet ready to equip such rooms, so men take a spermogram in an empty closed office, not far from the laboratory.

Correct sequence of actions:

• urinate;
• wash your hands with soap;
• open the sterile container without touching the inner surface;
• collect the ejaculate in a container;
• close it;
• leave on a shelf or table.

It’s easy to submit ejaculate for analysis; the main thing is to prepare yourself psychologically and prepare for the spermogram correctly. And remember that the quality of a man’s semen changes over time, and if unfavorable conditions, stress, and diseases are eliminated, the indicators return to normal. Try not to interpret the results yourself, since male fertility is assessed in a complex manner based on all indicators at once.