Semen analysis

A spermogram is a sperm analysis that determines whether a man has problems conceiving a child. This phenomenon occurs in almost every third of couples who cannot have a baby. This is why special tests are performed.

What do they include? So, pay attention to the volume of "raw material". It should be enough for conception. Liquefaction time plays a big role. Sperm is a thick gel-like substance that becomes liquid 20 minutes after ejaculation. Liquefaction time is the period from ejaculation itself until the moment the sperm turns into liquid "raw material". The amount of "material" shows how many sperm are present in one milliliter of sperm from one ejaculation. The structure of sperm shows what percentage of sperm have a normal shape. Motility also determines the percentage, but normal sperm for motility. The fact is that there may be few motile sperm. The level of acidity, leukocytes and fructose is also determined. These indicators indicate whether the sperm is normal or not.

These tests are performed if a man has reproductive problems that have led to infertility. There was a successful vasectomy or vasectomy reversal.

Before taking the test, you need to prepare. It is recommended to avoid any sexual activity for 2-5 days before the procedure. This will help ensure that the sperm obtained is maximal. Infrequent sexual activity can lead to the sperm becoming less active.

A sperm (seminal fluid) analysis is necessary to decide whether the person being examined is capable of producing offspring. The cause of male infertility may be diseases of the testicles, prostate, conductivity disorders of the vas deferens, diseases and malformations of the urethra.

Ejaculate (sperm) analysis is one of the diagnostic methods for hormonal disorders of reproductive system regulation. Normal results of ejaculate analysis in most cases allow to exclude hormonal disorders as a cause of infertility.

Sperm analysis is a more familiar version of the study of the quality of male ejaculate, which is called a spermogram. Sperm analysis is carried out to determine the physical qualities and parameters, as well as to assess the volume. Sperm analysis also involves assessing its viscosity and color. The most important parameter in the study of ejaculate is determining the activity and quantity of the main participants in fertilization - spermatozoa. Sperm analysis can also show the presence of foreign cells, based on its results, the doctor plans further diagnostic and therapeutic measures. In short, information about the male reproductive cells, cellular properties, parameters and activity, chemical and qualitative composition - all this is taken into account in the spermogram.

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Why do you take a sperm test?

Firstly, such a study is very important for those who are trying unsuccessfully to add a child to their family. As a rule, a woman undergoes a comprehensive examination, but diagnostic methods are no less important in studying the health of a man. The properties and speed of movement of the most active participants in fertilization - spermatozoa - are determined in a spermogram.

Also, sperm analysis is important for diagnosing various types of urological problems, both chronic and acute. It should be taken into account that sometimes sperm analysis is not the only research procedure that is necessary to determine the causes of the disease. It is just part of the diagnostic measures.

How do they collect sperm?

Before going to take the test, it is necessary to consider how sperm is taken and how many methods of this effect exist. As a rule, for this you need to take a clean glass. Usually the eruption occurs in it, this procedure can be done both in the clinic and at home, if the medical institution is nearby.

The most common method is masturbation with ejaculation into a glass. You can also collect sperm during intercourse. In this case, you need to remove the penis from your partner before ejaculation. Ejaculation should be done into a clean glass. This method is widely used after vasectomy to check for the presence of sperm.

You can also collect the "raw material" using a condom. If a man prefers regular protection, he will have to thoroughly wash off the lubricant. After all, it is this substance that kills sperm. There are special condoms that do not contain substances that kill sperm. After ejaculation, you must carefully remove the condom, tie it in a knot and put it in a container.

If a man collects semen at home, it must be delivered to the clinic within an hour. It is advisable to keep the sample away from cold, heat and sunlight. In no case should sperm be frozen. It is also necessary to note the fact that sperm changes almost every day. Therefore, it will have to be submitted for analysis 2-3 times over 3 months.

How is a sperm analysis performed?

The World Health Organization, recognized by all, recommends taking a sperm analysis, i.e. a spermogram, after excluding sexual relations for at least three days using self-stimulation and arousal, i.e. masturbation. If sexual contacts were the day before the spermogram, then there may be a shortage of sperm in volume for a high-quality study. If abstinence before the analysis is too long, then the activity of male germ cells will be reduced.

The material for the study must be fresh, therefore the sperm analysis is carried out in hospital or outpatient settings. The ejaculate must be in a liquefied state, in its entirety; at home, collection is possible only if it is delivered to the laboratory quickly, within an hour. If a man gives a sperm analysis on his own territory, that is, at home, he must first stock up on a sterile container, and immediately deliver the contents of the container to the clinic after the procedure.

Requirements for sperm collection include collecting the material without the use of protective devices – condoms, since contact of male gametes with latex can distort the picture of laboratory studies.

Bacterial culture of sperm

One of the diagnostic methods that is often used to clarify the causes of male infertility is bacterial sperm culture. This procedure is prescribed to men in the presence of inflammatory pathologies of the genitourinary system. Often, in parallel with this procedure, the attending physician recommends taking a prostate secretion.

This study is quite simple. It is necessary to place the sperm in a nutrient medium that will be most favorable for "growing" microorganisms. A certain temperature must be maintained for several days. When the microorganisms begin to multiply, it will be possible to examine them under a microscope. Their quantity, growth rate, and sensitivity to antibiotics are easily determined. Thus, it will be possible to choose the optimal treatment.

Before the analysis, it will be necessary to prepare. Ejaculate for bacterial culture is collected exclusively in the morning in a sterile container. First, the man will need to urinate, then wash his hands with soap and perform a hygienic procedure with the genitals. After that, the head of the penis and the foreskin are dried with a sterile napkin. Ejaculate is collected only by masturbation. It should be noted that the walls of the container cannot be touched either by the penis or by hands.

Before donating sperm for bacterial culture, a man will have to follow some rules. For example, abstain from sexual intercourse for 5-7 days before the day of the test. Refrain from drinking alcohol for 3-4 days. If a man takes antibiotics, then the sperm is donated no earlier than two weeks after discontinuing the medication.

Sperm analysis is an effective study that helps to promptly identify the cause of a couple's infertility and take therapeutic measures. Sperm analysis also helps to diagnose many male ailments, such as prostatitis, infections, various hormonal system disorders, varicocele.

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Sperm under a microscope

What does sperm look like under a microscope and what can be seen by conducting such a study? To see everything that is happening, you will have to make a rather large increase of about 400 times. A drop of liquefied sperm is placed on glass 30 minutes after ejaculation.

It should be noted that spermatozoa may differ from each other. Each of them performs a specific function. So, fertilizing spermatozoa, there is only one percent of them in the ejaculate. These are young, energetic and "athletic" spermatozoa.

There are spermatozoa - killers. Their number exceeds 85%. On the way to the egg, they try in every way to get ahead of competitors. In addition, they are capable of destroying the spermatozoa of another man, if there are any. Their head is much larger than that of others. It is in it that poisonous substances are contained. If you observe this process through a microscope, you will see how the "killers" approach other spermatozoa. During this contact, they release poisonous substances and thereby kill their competitor. One such spermatozoa can kill up to 10 others.

There are spermatozoa called "battering rams". Thanks to their attacks, they significantly reduce the walls of the egg and help others to penetrate the membrane and finally fertilize the egg.

Sperm "blockers". They do not penetrate the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes. These sperm remain in the cervix and thus prevent others from penetrating inside. Family sperm are capable of being produced in the most unfavorable moments of a man's life, mainly during stress. This prevents conception. This is how diverse the sperm of a representative of the stronger sex can be.

Blood in semen

Hematospermia is one of the diseases that results in blood in the sperm. Often this symptom is not given any importance. Naturally, in many cases blood in the sperm makes a serious impression and causes anxiety.

Sometimes the appearance of blood in sperm remains unknown and this symptom appears without clinical significance. But in many cases, blood in sperm indicates the presence of a serious disease.

Basically, hematospermia occurs in men under 40 years of age. Blood in the sperm can occur once or recur periodically. Sometimes this phenomenon occurs after sexual intercourse. But most likely the cause lies in the female genital tract. Therefore, some men mistake this phenomenon for hematospermia.

The presence of blood in the sperm may be associated with urinary tract problems. Therefore, to determine the causes of bleeding, it is necessary to conduct a study of the kidneys, bladder and ureters. In any case, a consultation with the attending physician is necessary. The sperm should be of normal color.

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Clots in sperm

What can clots in sperm indicate? Lumps in the ejaculate in the form of rice or jelly-like clots do not indicate problems at all. But if they change color, shape and even smell, then most likely we are talking about some kind of disease.

During prostatitis, urethritis and stones in the prostate, clots can be reddish or brownish. In some diseases, they can change smell and color. If these properties differ significantly from the norm, then most likely we are talking about serious diseases.

Yellow clots are a precursor to vesiculoprostatitis. It is important to understand that the density of sperm is affected by the frequency of sexual intercourse. The more often they occur, the more liquid the sperm. With rare sexual intercourse, it stagnates and thickens. High temperature can also thicken sperm.

With regular sexual activity, clots are not normal at all. A bacterial culture of prostate secretion, a spermogram and a urine test will help to clarify whether everything is in order. If there is any pain during and after sexual intercourse, then you will have to do an ultrasound. In this case, you can determine what the problem is and why the sperm has become thick.

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Leukocytes in sperm

Leukocytes appear in sperm for a reason. Most likely, this process is affected by an inflammatory process in the testicle or its appendages. It can also occur in the prostate gland and urethra.

If you compare the number of leukocytes in sperm, urethral smear and prostate secretion, you can easily determine the localization of the inflammatory process. Treatment of prostatitis must be selected correctly. Naturally, it is prescribed only based on leukocytes. But there are other parameters that are worth paying attention to. This is the number of lecithin grains, amyloid bodies, the presence of microflora and the expansion of the seminal vesicles. Knowing such parameters, you can choose a good treatment.

It is always necessary to monitor the number of leukocytes. Therefore, it is necessary to take tests and undergo examinations by doctors constantly. It is impossible to see the presence of leukocytes in sperm on your own. This means that sperm must be constantly examined.

Protein in sperm

What does protein in sperm affect and where does it come from? The prostate gland and seminal vesicles contain protein compounds. They are the ones that are instantly broken down into amino acids by enzymes during ejaculation.

Among the main amino acids that are secreted by proteins, seminal plasma contains serine, leucine, glycine, tyrosine, glutamic acid and histidine. The content of amino acids is on average about 0.0125 g/ml.

In addition to amino acids and proteins, seminal plasma contains a huge amount of free amines. These are spermidine, choline, spermine and creatine. The latter component is known as growth creatine, which helps improve brain function. Creatine is found in significant concentrations in seminal fluid. It is in complete reciprocity with creatine phosphokinase. This is a specific enzyme that can maintain its activity in seminal plasma spots for a long time. That is why sperm is a source of many useful components.