Sperm analysis
A semen analysis provides information about a man's fertility and the quality of his sperm.
Preparation and submission
Before submitting a sample, we recommend a period of abstinence (without ejaculation) of one to two days.
Ideally, the semen sample should be submitted in a discreet room at the Dr. Loimer Fertility Clinic and then examined immediately in our in-house laboratory. If the sample is collected at home, it must be brought to our institute within a maximum of 30 minutes to avoid any loss of quality.
You will usually receive the written results after about 20–30 minutes, accompanied by a detailed explanation.
Evaluation according to WHO (2021)
The following parameters are measured during the analysis:
- Volume: ≥ 1.5 ml
- Sperm concentration: ≥ 15 million/ml
- Total sperm count: ≥ 39 million per ejaculate
- Total motility: ≥ 42%
- Progressive motility: ≥ 30%
- Morphology (normal forms): ≥ 4%
We also check the pH value, the viscosity, and any possible bacterial colonization of the ejaculate.
If semen quality is significantly impaired, genetic testing may be useful, as certain genetic factors can affect semen quality.
Advanced tests
- Sperm analysis with HBA test: Determines the binding and fertilization capacity of the sperm.
- Sperm analysis with vitality test: Examines whether immotile sperm still contain viable (fertile) cells.
- Sperm analysis with MAR test: Detects autoantibodies on the surface of the sperm that can cause clumping and impair fertility.
- Sperm analysis with DNA fragmentation test (HALO test): Analyzes the integrity of the sperm DNA. An increased fragmentation rate can have a negative impact on fertilization, embryonic development, and implantation.