Semen Analysis in California

Pacific Reproductive Center offers on-site laboratory semen analysis as the first step in male fertility testing, helping men and couples identify the cause or causes of their fertility challenges.

If you or someone you love is having difficulty conceiving, semen analysis is an excellent first step to check the health of a man’s sperm. Contact us today to learn more, or continue reading below.

What is Semen Analysis and Why Should I Consider it?

Semen analysis is a crucial diagnostic test that evaluates the health and quality of a man’s sperm. It involves examining a microscope sample to assess parameters such as count, motility (movement), morphology (shape), and overall function. This test provides valuable insights into a man’s reproductive health and can help identify potential causes of infertility or fertility issues.

If your count is low, the seminal fluid you expel during an orgasm contains fewer sperm cells than what the average fertile male will produce. The clinical term for an abnormally low number of sperm is oligospermia. The absence of all sperm is called azoospermia. You are deemed to have a low count if you have fewer than 15 million per milliliter of ejaculate fluid (semen).

An insufficient count decreases the likelihood of one of your sperm fertilizing your partner’s egg, thereby reducing the odds of a successful pregnancy. Nevertheless, many men with low counts can conceive a child with proper reproductive support.

Typically, the first stage of a male fertility test involves semen analysis. It is always recommended that men have their semen analyzed when pregnancy isn’t naturally achieved, regardless of whether male-factor or female-factor infertility is suspected.

Semen analysis results can guide healthcare providers in recommending appropriate treatments or interventions to improve sperm health and increase the chances of successful conception.

An Overview of the Sperm Count Test Procedure

To achieve the most accurate results from seminal fluid analysis and fertility testing, the male should refrain from ejaculation for approximately five days.

The semen sample is collected via manual stimulation (masturbation) in either a sterilized cup or a special condom (standard condoms are not permitted due to the potential presence of lubricants and spermicidal agents, which can kill them).

Semen samples must be evaluated quickly; ideally, a sample will be provided at the fertility center so that laboratory analysis can occur within an hour.

In a basic sperm analysis test, doctors look at the following factors:

• Sperm count: Besides the number of individual cells within the semen sample, a sperm count test assesses the number per millimeter of ejaculate fluid. The average concentration is 15 million sperm per mL.
• Sperm motility: The ability of the sperm to make sufficient forward progression is critical; if they are sluggish or immobile, they can’t advance into the fallopian tubes and fertilize the egg within. Poor motility is an indication of male factor infertility.
• Sperm morphology: This term refers to the size and shape of the sperm cell. Sperm cells that are optimally shaped typically constitute approximately 14 percent of the total count. Properly formed sperm should have a tail to make its way to the egg, a midpiece complete with mitochondria to give energy, a head where the nucleus is contained, and an acrosomal vesicle at the tip of the sperm containing enzymes, which help them penetrate the egg.

The overall quality of the semen sample must also be evaluated. The following conditions are assessed:

• Semen pH: Ideal semen alkalinity should be approximately pH 7.2 or slightly higher. The semen’s alkalinity effectively neutralizes the naturally acidic vaginal environment and facilitates viability.
• Antibodies: Semen analysis checks for evidence of anti-sperm antibodies. These antibodies result from an immune response that mistakenly targets them. Both women and men can produce these antibodies.
• Presence of white blood cells: White blood cells in semen indicate an infection.
• Semen viscosity: Semen that is insufficiently liquid can inhibit sperm motility.

A sperm check test analyzes semen for any indications of suboptimal performance and helps to point to structural abnormalities or infections that can be corrected. Subsequent tests might include screenings for the following:

• Physical blockages
• Hormonal anomalies or low testosterone
• Allergies to medications or medication side effects

Male Infertility Treatment Options

In many cases, the conditions contributing to male subfertility can be corrected by minimally invasive surgical intervention, lifestyle changes, or certain medications.

However, when the cause of the low sperm count is unclear, several fertility treatments can significantly enhance the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) might be an effective solution because it involves a technique known as “sperm washing.” This procedure concentrates the volume of healthy, motile sperm within a sample by isolating it from the rest of the seminal fluid. The healthy sperm are then inserted directly into the uterus during ovulation.

Additionally,  In vitro fertilization combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) could offer exceptional outcomes for men who have male-factor infertility. This is a highly effective option for those with fertility issues since ICSI only requires one sperm for every egg and can facilitate fertilization even in cases where they are morphologically abnormal or less than mobile.

Male Infertility and Semen Analysis in Los Angeles

The fertility specialists at Pacific Reproductive Center will help you determine the best course for helping you achieve a healthy full-term pregnancy, which may include a semen analysis lab for those struggling with male infertility.

Please contact our helpful team today to discuss your fertility options.