The spermiogram, also known as the sperm or semen test, is a type of laboratory test that measures the health status of the sperm, which is the male reproductive cell, and its ability to fertilize the egg.
What is a spermiogram?
The spermiogram, also known as the semen test, is a type of laboratory test that measures the health status of the sperm, which is the male reproductive cell, and its ability to fertilize the egg. In men, sperm cells are found in the semen that occurs during ejaculation. Thanks to the sperm test, the sperm cells in the semen are separated from sugar and proteins and the reproductive potential of the man is evaluated. Thanks to the spermiogram, in which the number, shape and motility of the sperm in the ejaculate are measured, the physician has detailed information about the sperm health of the person.
It is one of the first tests applied to the father-to-be to investigate infertility if the couples who want to have a child cannot conceive despite having unprotected and regular sexual intercourse for 12 months. In the sperm test, the sperm concentration is expected to be 15 million divided by millimeters and above. In addition, the sperm motility rate should be above 31%. The ratio of the amount of sperm with structural defects, which is considered normal to be in the ejaculate of a healthy person, to normal sperm is learned through the semen test. In the light of all these data, detailed information about the male reproductive potential is obtained. "What is a spermiogram?" It is necessary to answer the question.
Semen expelled from the body during ejaculation, or in other words semen, is a white colored liquid with dense consistency and sticky properties produced by different glands in the testicles. Semen contains sperm that are capable of reproduction. It also contains coagulating agents, fructose and other lubricating organic substances that help increase sperm motility and fertilization ability in the vagina.
When sperm cells with a head, tail and mobility are released into the vagina together with the ejaculate, they move their tails first to the uterus and from there to the fallopian tubes, where the female egg is waiting for fertilization. fallopian tubes In case of encountering an e egg, fertilization or fertilization, as it is commonly known, takes place. Thanks to the spermiogram or the sperm test as it is popularly known, the amount and quality of all these fluids are analyzed as well as the sperm characteristics.
Spermiogram test is done after the couples apply to the doctor in case they cannot achieve pregnancy even though they want to have a child. In addition, sperm test can be done to investigate whether the reproductive ability of the person is affected after some infectious diseases. If the sperms are sufficient in terms of number, mobility and shape, this indicates that the person has high reproductive ability.
How is a spermiogram done?
It allows couples to have unprotected and regular intercourse for one year. In case of infertility despite pregnancy, a sperm test should be performed to investigate male infertility. For couples aged 35 and over, this period is 6 months. After couples with reproductive problems apply to the physician, the physician first listens to the person's story and performs a physical examination. Then he asks for a sperm test. For the
Spermiogram test, the person must abstain from sex for 24 to 72 hours before the test. It is also recommended not to use substances such as alcohol and caffeine until 2 to 5 days before. If the person uses herbal tea or other herbal treatment products or hormone drugs, it may be necessary to leave it under the control of a physician. Urine must be completely made before giving the sample for the spermiogram. The interior of the container where the semen sample will be given should not be touched, lubricants etc. should not be used during masturbation. No materials should be used. In the presence of these factors that directly affect the sperm quality and therefore the test result, the test should be repeated. In order to obtain a good semen sample, ejaculation should be performed within the hospital where the test will be performed.
For individuals who have difficulties in this regard, ejaculation can be done at home. In the event that a sperm sample cannot be obtained by masturbation, the physician may provide a sperm sample with intercourse by giving the person a special condom that does not harm the natural structure of the sperm. However, semen should be placed in a sterile container and kept at close to body temperature. It should be delivered to the laboratory within 1 hour at most. In the laboratory, sperm cells in the semen are evaluated under the microscope in terms of number, shape and motility with special devices and staining techniques. Testing for these factors is extremely important for understanding male infertility. The physician may request that the test be repeated three times on different days, if necessary, for an accurate analysis.
How to Evaluate Spermiogram Results?
1.5 to 6 ml of the semen sample volume given for the sperm test. must be in the range. It is not possible to accurately test the semen sample below this value. 6 ml. and the semen volume above it is an indication of excess fluid in the ejaculate. This is a sign that the amount of sperm, which is a reproductive cell, is low compared to the fluid. In other words, as a result of the test, the sperm count should be more than 15 million sperm in one milliliter. Also, the pH ratio is expected to be in the range of 7.2 to 8.0.
The sample obtained during the sperm test should have a dense consistency, but should become more liquid after 20 minutes. Semen that does not liquefy may impair sperm motility and prevent the sperm from reaching the egg. In order for the sperm to fertilize the egg, the sperm motility must be above 50% in the first hour after ejaculation. The normal range of values for the
Spermiogram test is 3% to 4% for shape, 55% to 63% for vigor, and 31% to 34% for motility. In addition, according to the criteria published by the World Health Organization in 2010, the total sperm count should be more than 39 million/ml and the amount of leukocytes should be less than 1 million/ml. Although the basic evaluation of the spermiogram test results in approximately 1 hour, the sperm cells must be stained and evaluated under a microscope for morphological evaluation. This process, in which structural features and deformities are also evaluated, takes approximately 24 hours to conclude. After the sperm test, the person receives one of the following diagnoses:
- Normospermia: Sperm cells are healthy in terms of all criteria.
- Oligospermia: It means that the amount of sperm cells in the semen is low in number.
- Azospermia: It is the condition that there is no live sperm in the semen content.
- Olig oasthenospermia: It indicates low sperm count and low motility. If there is no sperm in the semen sample (azoospermia), sperm can be obtained with the TESE (testicular sperm extraction) method for the microinjection process used in assisted reproductive in vitro fertilization treatment. Even a single sperm cell may be sufficient to achieve pregnancy with IVF treatment. In the TESE method, sperm are obtained by biopsy from the testis. In the TESE procedure performed under general anesthesia, the testicle of the person is opened surgically and tissue samples are taken from different regions. After the procedure, the person can be sent home to rest after 2-3 hours of observation.
In Micro TESE method, sperm search is performed under the microscope with microsurgical methods. Another method is TESA. The TESA (testicular sperm aspiration) procedure is performed in the operating room environment by applying local anesthesia or sedation. After the needle is placed in the testicles, the semen is aspirated with the help of a special device. After the procedure, cold compresses are applied to the testicles. The physician may prescribe painkillers when deemed necessary. In addition, after TESE, micro TESE and TESA procedures, sexual abstinence should be applied for the period determined by the physician.Read: 0
