Semen carries the sperm in fluids that should nourish and protect it. Semen analysis provides information about the quantity and quality of both semen and the sperm it contains. The analysis can also suggest if you have an infection in your reproductive system.
Some things measured include:
- How much semen a man produces (volume)
- The total number of sperm in the semen sample (total count)
- The number of sperm in each milliliter of semen (concentration)
- The percentage of sperm moving (motility)
- If the sperm is the right shape or not (morphology)
What to Expect
The semen sample has to be tested within 30 minutes of collection. For this reason, the ideal place for collection is at the Duke Fertility Center. You should not ejaculate for at least two days before you provide a sample since this might artificially lower your sperm count.