One of the first tests that a couple seeking help for infertility will be asked to perform is for the male partner to have a semen analysis. A semen analysis cannot predict whether or not a particular individual can become a biological father or not. There are no specific properties that one can measure in the complete population of sperm that reflects the fertilising ability of a small proportion that will reach the site of fertilisation.

However, the semen analysis may be used to categorize men into groups with different probabilities to achieve pregnancy with a certain time period, and may be used to assess whether and which treatment type may be best suited to a particular couple.

Since the semen analysis is an important first assessment step it is of the utmost importance that the test is performed correctly. The World Health Organisation recommends methods for performing all aspects of a semen analysis and what should be included in a semen analysis. It is in order to achieve a standard of care that the semen analysis should be performed according to the recommended methods. However, there are still wide differences in the standards and contents of semen analysis performed depending on the laboratory that performs the test.

According to the World Health Organisation, a semen analysis should include assessment of the following: Volume, viscosity, sperm concentration and total number of sperm, sperm motility and sperm vitality. Furthermore, assessment of the sperm morphology, agglutination and presence of antisperm antibodies and debris are also performed.

At OVO Clinic we are committed to providing the best level of care possible and this includes having the highest standards. We offer a semen analysis which includes all the required aspects of the WHO and performed according to the methods recommended by the WHO. It is for this reason that we suggest you have your semen analysis performed here rather than at another laboratory that may not follow the guidelines for semen analysis.

In terms of the results of your test, we think that it is always best to discuss them with your physician, either at OVO Clinic or outside. However, if you do not have a physician, we would be happy to explain the results to you.

The WHO gives reference values for all the parameters tested in the semen analysis. These are not normal values, since it is not really known what a ‘normal’ sample is.

Semen Volume	>2.0mls
Concentration	>20M/ml
Total Count	>40M
Mobility	>50% or >25% rapid progression
Morphology	>14% performed by Tygerberg Strict Criteria*
IgG and IgA Antibodies	<50% binding

WHO laboratory manual for the examination of human semen and sperm-cervical mucus interaction. 4th Edition. 1999

* The Tygerberg Strict Criteria often results in Normal forms value <10. Although these values seem very low, it is important to regard all the semen parameters together and this is why we suggest that the results are explained by a specialist.