Abnormal Semen Analysis: What’s The Next Step?
Semen analysis has become the go-to test for men experiencing infertility. A semen analysis is a common tool used to evaluate male reproductive health that examines various sperm and semen parameters to identify the underlying causes of male infertility.
When an individual undergoes semen analysis, there is a probability that the assessment shows the patient has an abnormal semen analysis. In such cases, it is important to note that an abnormal semen analysis result can indicate a number of semen or sperm-related conditions. This can potentially reveal the cause of infertility, helping doctors determine the appropriate treatment plan for the individual. Furthermore, undergoing a semen analysis offers men the opportunity to gain awareness about their reproductive health and may shed light on the reasons behind their infertility issues.
Nonetheless, in this blog, we'll discuss what an abnormal semen analysis is and the parameters that may influence semen analysis. And lastly, the next steps to be taken if someone has an abnormal semen analysis.
What Is Abnormal Semen Analysis?
In simpler terms, if an individual’s semen parameters fall outside the normal range, the semen analysis is considered abnormal.1 For example, if the report indicates a low sperm count or the presence of structural defects in sperm, these findings can all be attributed to an abnormal semen analysis.2,3
A typical semen analysis checks for the following parameters:4
| Parameters | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Volume of semen (ml) | 1.4- 6.2 |
| Sperm concentration (106 per ml) | 16- 208 |
| Total number of sperm (106 per ejaculate) | 39- 701 |
| Total Motility (PR+ NP, %) | 42- 90 |
| PR- Progressive motility (%) | 30- 77 |
| NP- Non-progressive motility (%) | 1- 32 |
| Immotile sperm (%) | 20- 58 |
| Vitality (%) | 54- 97 |
| Normal Forms (%) | 4- 39 |
Now, let’s discuss the aforementioned sperm and semen parameters in brief.
Parameters Of A Semen Analysis
- Volume Of Semen: Semen is the white-fluid with a thick consistency that emerges from penis during ejaculation.5 A healthy individual is ought to release 1.4- 6.2 ml of semen per ejaculation.4
- Sperm Concentration: It is the total number of sperm present in per unit volume (ml) of semen.6
- Total Number Of Sperm: It is the total number of sperm present in the sample volume of an ejaculate (semen).6 (Total number of sperm can be found out using the formula: Sperm concentration X Volume of semen6)
- Total Motility: It’s the percentage of sperm that are actively swimming or are moving in the semen.7,4
- Progressive Motility (PR): Progressive motility (PR%) sperm are distinguished by active movement that can occur in a linear or circular pattern, regardless of velocity.7,4
- Non-Progressive Motility (NPR): Sperms that exhibit non-progressive motility (NP%) have movement patterns that are not forward-moving. These patterns include swimming in small circles, weak flagellar force resulting in minimal head movement.7,4
- Immotile Sperm: It is that percentage of sperm in the semen that don’t show any movement.8,4
- Vitality: Sperm vitality is the determination of the total percentage of live, membrane intact sperm in the semen sample.9
- Normal Forms: The percentage of sperm with ‘normal’ morphology (size and shape).10
So far, we've learned about semen analysis and the factors that influence it. If any of these factors are abnormal (lower or higher than normal), it could indicate a sperm health condition. In the following table, we will look at various sperm conditions that could lead to an abnormal semen analysis.
| Common Sperm Conditions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Conditions Based On Volume And Sperm Count | |||
| Hyperspermia | High semen volume production | ||
| Hypospermia | Low semen volume production | ||
| Azoospermia | Complete lack of sperm in semen | ||
| Conditions Based On Sperm Concentration And Motility | |||
| Oligozoospermia | Low sperm count, despite normal sexual & ejaculatory function | ||
| Asthenozoospermia | Low or absent sperm motility in the fresh ejaculate | ||
| Conditions Based On Morphology And Vitality | |||
| Teratozoospermia | Aberrant sperm morphology | ||
| Macrozoospermia | Sperm with abnormally large and deformed heads & extra chromosomes (usually 4 copies of each instead of the usual 1) | ||
| Necrozoospermia | Presence of dead sperm in the semen | ||
| Combination Sperm Health Conditions | |||
| Oligoteratozoospermia | Low sperm count & abnormal morphology | ||
| Oligoasthenozoospermia | 2 altered seminal parameters (such as sperm count and sperm motility) | ||
| Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia | 3 altered seminal parameters (such as sperm morphology, sperm count and sperm motility) | ||
| Asthenoteratozoospermia | Low morphology & poor sperm motility | ||
| Other Sperm Health Conditions | |||
| Leukospermia | Presence of leukocytes (white blood cells) in the semen | ||
| Hemospermia | Presence of blood in the semen | ||
An abnormal semen analysis report can suggest the presence of one or more of the sperm conditions mentioned in the table above. However, a more accurate diagnostic test is required to confirm the possibility of a specific sperm or semen related condition. To learn more about such test and how it can help identify potential fertility issues, read on!
What’s The Next Step?
When a person receives an abnormal semen analysis report, they may have a lot of questions on their mind. However, it is important to note that an abnormal result does not always imply infertility, as it could be due to any of the sperm conditions discussed previously. Nevertheless, in some cases, the semen analysis may be inconclusive or reveal no obvious cause of infertility. This is why additional testing is required in such cases as the underlying problem may be rooted at the DNA or molecular level.
If you are considering testing and preserving your sperm for the future, LifeCell's SpermVault could be an excellent choice for you. Since, it tests for DNA fragmentation along with 14 sperm conditions and 10 sperm parameters.
Ending Note!
An abnormal semen analysis is not conclusive evidence of infertility. In many cases, it simply indicates a temporary obstacle that can be addressed with the right approach. However, in order to identify the underlying cause of your infertility, it is crucial to take further necessary steps such as choosing LifeCell’s SpermScore & SpermVault . Doing so could help you gain a deeper understanding of your sperm-health, bringing you closer to achieving your fertility goals.
To know more about abnormal semen analysis and DNA fragmentation analysis can help, please feel free to call us at 1800 266 5533!
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