​SEMEN ANALYSIS: UNDERSTANDING YOUR RESULTS

Semen analysis is an important test that tells us if you have the quality of sperm that’s needed for sperm donation.

You may feel anxious about the test and the implications of your results for your own fertility.

It’s important to bear in mind that if your results show your semen isn’t suitable for donation, it doesn’t mean you’re infertile.

Remember that sperm for donation has to be capable of fertilisation in a laboratory and clinical setting, and survive all the processes and procedures this involves. Not just natural fertilisation of an egg the usual way.

Semen analysis results: What’s ‘normal’ – and what’s not?

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines 2010, these are the lower reference values or minimal accepted amount for a ‘normal’ result in semen analysis:

• Semen ejaculate: The amount of fluid you ejaculate - 1.5ml and above
• Sperm count: The amount of sperm in the ejaculate – 39 million
• Sperm concentration: The number of sperm in 1ml of fluid – at least 15 million per ml
• Total motility: How many of your sperm are moving – at least 40%
• Progressive motility: How many of your sperm are moving forward – 32%
• Vitality: How many of your sperm are ‘live’ – 58%
• Morphology: The shape of your sperm (head, midsection and tail) – At last 4% should be considered normal

What if my test results show something abnormal?

If any of your semen analysis test results come back with anything outside of ‘normal’, it doesn’t mean you can’t have your own baby. Many men with what’s considered ‘normal’ semen analysis test results may still struggle to father a child as quickly as they’d like.

We’ll explain your results to you in full so you clearly understand what they mean for you.

If you’re worried about your own fertility, semen analysis forms only part of a thorough fertility check. There are other factors to take into account and further tests that can be done to give a clear picture of your conception potential. We’ll advise any next steps you can take.

Being accepted or declined as a sperm donor

It can come as a shock to be told your sperm isn’t of the right quality for donation. We’ll support you any way we can.

It’s natural to assume all men can donate sperm. But actually, only around 1 in 10 men have the sperm quality that’s needed, sperm that can survive freezing and thawing and still fertilise an egg in IVF, ICSI or insemination treatments.

It’s why we always need more sperm donors to apply to us. So we can find the men who do have the sperm that can help others have a child.

Apply to be a Semovo sperm donor

If you’re aged 18-45, you could apply to be a sperm donor. Complete our simple and short no obligation application form online, or have a chat to our team on 0345 266 1272.

Semovo sperm donation clinics are open at times to suit you - many men choose to donate sperm on their way to or home from work– and are conveniently located across the North West in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.