INFERTILITY IS AN ALL-WOMEN ISSUE! Haven’t we all been led to believe that? But we couldn’t be more wrong! The truth is in fact that males are responsible for at least 50% of all infertility struggles.1 Having learnt that, your first instinct as a man would be to think if it has something to do with your sperm count. But before you start to rush for a sperm count test, let us unveil yet another truth.

The right way to check your infertility would be to get your sperm health tested not just for its quantity but also its quality. How so, you ask? Well, there are several qualitative parameters such as your sperm motility & shape which play an equal role in deciding your reproductive health.

In this blog, we’ll sum up all major male fertility parameters that a semen or sperm analysis tests.

So stay tuned.

     I. Sperm Count Test

For a sperm count test, your semen sample is looked at under the microscope to find out the number of sperm cells. If the score reads anything lower than 15 million per millilitre, it signifies a low sperm count. And chances are, you’ll face trouble getting your partner pregnant.

  II. Sperm Quality Tests

These tests are mainly focused on sperm parameters like their motility, morphology, vitality, viability, etc. Continue reading to learn more about each of these tests.

a.    Sperm Motility

It is a test of sperm movement. Now there’s a reason that sperm cells are also called swimmers! They swim or rather have motility which enables them to travel up the female’s reproductive tract. Any abnormality in their movement is also therefore a cause for concern.

There could be a problem with either their progressive motility (mostly moving in straight lines or large circles) or non-progressive motility (not moving straight or moving in tight circles). At other times, they could simply be immotile.

According to the WHO, if your ejaculate sample contains fewer than 40% total motile or 32% progressively motile sperm, you are considered to be asthenozoospermic (having low sperm motility).

b.    Sperm Morphology

This test checks for abnormalities in the sperm shape. It often leaves us wondering how shape could have anything to do with male fertility. But an abnormally shaped sperm head or tail can make both its reaching & penetrating the female’s egg difficult.

For making a diagnosis, the semen sample is observed under the microscope. Nonetheless, it’s noteworthy that the concept of sperm morphology is not understood as well as the rest of the parameters. And there remains a lot of inconsistency in the test results as well.

c.    Sperm Vitality

Also sometimes used interchangeably with the term sperm viability, it’s a measure of live sperm. The test is conducted using staining techniques whereby the live & dead sperm pick up different stains & can be visibly differentiated from each other under a microscope.

The WHO recommends sperm vitality tests particularly when the sperm’s progressive motility falls below 40%.

d.    Semen Volume

This is a test for checking the quantity of your ejaculate. It normally ranges from 1.5 to 5.0 millilitres. While a normal semen volume alone is not an indicator of male fertility, it is definitely a good marker of male reproductive health.

These pretty much sum up the major sperm parameters which are tested during a male fertility analysis. But how do you narrow down on the best among the many testing options available in the market?

Let’s find out.

LifeCell’s SpermScore: A Comprehensive Test Of Your Sperm Health

A lot of men are on the same page when it comes to visiting a lab for semen analysis. They feel a little awkward! And would much rather get it done from their homes. But most of the at-home tests lack credibility even though they’re convenient.

But with LifeCell’s SpermScore at-home test, it is not the case. SpermScore is the most discreet & confidential way to get your sperm tested from the comfort of your home. At the same time, the test samples, though self-collected at home, are shipped to our state-of-the-art laboratories for a thorough & accurate evaluation. Our expert team runs checks on 10 sperm health parameters & 14 conditions to give you the most reliable insights into your fertility.

Final Words

We hope this helped you understand that the true assessment of male infertility extends beyond a sperm count test at home. That’s because multiple factors other than your sperm count, play a role in deciding your reproductive prowess.

And if you, for a second, have a doubt about your fertility, we suggest you go for a semen analysis soon. Follow it up with a doctor’s advice for best results.

To get your sperm health discreetly tested with SpermScore, check out our product page at www.lifecell.in.

For queries, simply dial 18002665533.

Reference

  1. Semen analysis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.
  2. Low sperm count – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic
  3. Current Insights and Latest Updates in Sperm Motility and Associated Applications in Assisted Reproduction – PMC
  4. Abnormal sperm morphology: What does it mean? – Mayo Clinic.
  5. Sperm Vitality and Necrozoospermia: Diagnosis, Management, and Results of a Global Survey of Clinical Practice – PMC
  6. Limitations of Semen Analysis as a Test of Male Fertility and Anticipated Needs from Newer Tests