Semen Analysis (The Sperm Count)

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You will be given a specimen pot. Produce semen by masturbation into the pot. Do not use semen from a condom. Before producing the specimen you should not have had sex for at least 48 hours. However, no more than seven days should have gone by since last having sex. Ideally, you should deliver the sample to the laboratory within one hour of production. The pot which contains the sample should not be left out in the cold but should be kept warm, for example, in a pocket.

The semen sample is looked at with a microscope to count the number of sperm, look at their shape, and to determine the percentage that are active (motile). The results of the test generally fall into one of three categories:

1. Normal.
2. Definitely abnormal, with very few or no sperms.
3. Somewhere 'in between'. In these men, fertility is still possible. However, the more normal sperm there are, and the higher the percentage that are active, the greater the chance of fertility.

Sometimes, if the sperm count is borderline or slightly low, some of the following factors may be worth considering.

• Was the sample ideal? See above on how to produce an ideal sample. It may be worth repeating to check this. Was it taken to the laboratory in time? Was it kept warm? Cooling the sample or a delay in getting it to the laboratory can alter the number of active sperm, and give a false result.
• High testes temperature. Sperm are made in the testes which are in the scrotum. This is the body's way of keeping the testes slightly cooler than the rest of the body which is best for making sperm. It is often advised for men who have a low sperm count to wear loose fitting underpants and trousers and to avoid very hot baths, saunas, etc. This aims to keep your testes slightly cooler than the rest of your body, which is thought to be good for sperm production. It is not clear whether these measures improve a sperm count, but they seem to be sensible.
• Smoking can affect the sperm count. If you smoke, you should stop completely for optimum sperm production.
• Alcohol. More than 16 units per week (equivalent to about 8 pints of normal strength beer or 16 small glasses of wine) may interfere with optimum fertility.
• Drugs and medicines. Most do not interfere with sperm production, but some may do. These include: sulphasalazine, nitrofurantoin, tetracyclines, cimetidine, colchicine, allopurinol, some chemotherapy drugs, cannabis, cocaine, and anabolic steroids. If you have a low sperm count, tell a doctor if you take any drugs or medicines regularly.

© EMIS and PIP 2006   Updated: February 2006   PRODIGY Validated