Evaluation of male fertility is done due by checking the semen in the lab.
In our andrology lab the
embryologist does the semen analysis. It is done to check the no of sperms, the motility of sperms, presence
of abnormal sperms and several other parameters.
Structure of a Normal Sperm
Semen Abnormalities | ||
A | Normozoospermia | Normal ejaculate |
B | Oligozoospermia | Sperm concentration Less than 20 million/mL |
C | Asthenozoospermia | movement abnormalities |
D | Teratozoospermia | Less than 30% sperm with normal morphology |
E | Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia | Disturbance of all three variables |
F | Azoospermia | No sperm ejaculate |
G | Aspermia | No ejaculate |
Common cause of abnormalities:
Artefact :(incorrect collection/examination methodology)
Reddish color: Hemospermia- trauma, inflamation or tumor of the genital tract
Highly viscous semen: Cause is not known (impaired motility)
Liquefation Failure: (impaired motility)-impaired prostate function
Increased Semen volume:Hyperspermia-more than10ml may cause dilutional oligozoospermia
Aspermia:
Absence sperms in the ejaculate
Abnormal sperms Microscopic view
Structure of Abnormal Sperm
Sperm concentration:
Oligozoospermia (Reduced Count):
If less than 20 million / ml-oligozoospermia (repeat semen analysis
after 3 months: 74 days for process of spermatogenesis and 12 / 20 days for travel)
Azoospermia( Absence of Sperm):
No spermatozoa in the fresh or centrifuged resuspended
semen sample
Polyzoospermia (Increased sperm):
If more than 350 million/ml
Sperm motility (Reduced movement):
If less than 50% progressively motile
asthenozoospermia (EM-sperm tail defect).
Necrozoospermia:
Dead sperms
Teratozoospermia(Abnormal Sperm):
Presence of more than 70% abnormal sperm morphology
in the sample.