Expertise:

Semen analysis needs technical expertise an improperly performed semen analysis could mislead the diagnosis. MARC is one of the well recognized institutions having technical expertise and well trained technicians.

Timing

In order to get accurate results the specimen should be processed and examined with one hour of collection. Ideally the specimen should be collected by masturbation at the laboratory.

Sperm Concentration ( Count)

This refers to the density of sperms indicated as Millions of sperms in the ejaculate. Average sperm count is about 60 million per milli litre

Motility :

Seminal fluid on ejaculation appears solid and liquify within few minutes, facilitating examination under the microscope. The fast progressive active sperm across the field is classified as Grade IV and stationary and feebly motile sperms as Grade I. The percentage of actively motile sperms against non motile sperms form the Motility Index. There should be more than 40 millions motile sperms in the ejaculate. The sluggishly moving sperms should be recognized against fast progressive active sperms and recorded in terms of percentage. Live and Dead count is done using EOSIN NIGROSSIN Stain, since lack of motility does not indicate cell death.

Morphology :

For careful examination the stained slides are examined in detail for presence of percentage of oval head, normal mid piece and tail. Abnormalities relate to head (pin head, amorphous head, Double head, mid piece and tail defects, Double tail, Coiled tail, Bent neck, Cytoplasmic droplets etc) KRUGER absolute sperm morphology indicate atleast 15 percent of sperms should be normal. Sperm precursors VS pus cells ‘Pyospermia’ indicate genital infections. In most of the cases Semen Analysis shows presence of immature cells look like spermatids which in effect a normal finding and not to be mistaken as pus cells.

Poor Sperm test can result from :

• Incorrect semen collection technique
• Too long time delay before reaching to the laboratory
• Too short interval between ejaculations.
• Recent systemic illness like fever or injury

Sperm Function tests - indicated only in special situations :

• Antisperm Antibody test
• Computer Assisted Semen Analysis ( CASA)
• Acrosome Reaction
• Hypo osmatic Swelling Test
• Hamster Egg penetration test
• PCR based detection for presence of Pathogens
• Biochemical markers – Fructose , Acid Phosphates , reactive oxygen species.
• Post ejaculatory urine analysis ( in Retograde Ejaculation)