IS YOUR SPERM IN GOOD SHAPE? WHAT A SEMEN ANALYSIS TEST REVEALS

Getting a sperm check is one of the first things that happens when you apply to be a sperm donor with Semovo. But what are we looking for?

A sperm check involves analysing the sperm in your semen, which is the fluid you ejaculate. We’re looking at three main factors – how well your sperm moves, the shape of your sperm and how much sperm you have.

Preparing for a semen analysis test

We’ll explain to you what you should – and shouldn’t do – in the run up to your test, including abstaining from ejaculation in the days before the test so we get the best sample for an accurate result.

Providing your semen sample

You’ll be taken to your own private, comfortably furnished room. We’ll then take your semen to our laboratory, where our highly-trained team will examine it under a microscope.

Semen analysis: What we check for

Your sperm check analyses your general sperm health and includes factors such as:

Sperm shape: We need to check your sperm’s shape to ensure it can penetrate an egg to fertilise it. Abnormally-shaped sperm may not be able to break through the egg for fertilisation. We look at sperm head, midsection and tail.

Sperm movement: Otherwise known as sperm motility, we’ll look at how well your sperm moves and how many of your sperm are live. Sperm has to move to fertilise an egg in natural conception and using fertility treatment, and we’ll see how many of your sperm move normally for a set period of time after ejaculation.

Sperm count: Sperm count is the number of sperm in your semen. Every man’s sperm count or density is different, and it varies day-to-day. We’d expect to see at least 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen for a normal result.

Volume: We’ll look at how much semen you gave us, to check semen volume is within a normal range. If you don’t ejaculate much semen this may indicate low sperm number.

Sperm pH: We’ll check your sperm’s pH level, to check if it’s within normal levels.

Consistency: Semen starts out thick but should over time should become more watery or ‘liquefied’, to help sperm move and travel to the egg.

What do my semen analysis results mean?

It’s normal to have some sperm that aren’t shaped properly, or don’t move too well.

What we’re concerned with is your sperm’s overall ability to fertilise an egg in fertility treatment, not just natural conception.

So your analysis may indicate that your sperm isn’t suitable for use in fertility treatment. This doesn’t mean you’re infertile and can’t get someone pregnant naturally.

Remember that sperm has to be of excellent quality to withstand all the processes involved in fertility treatment, including freezing and thawing. Natural conception doesn’t involve any of these procedures.

We’ll explain your results in full and what they mean for your own fertility and ability to be a sperm donor with Semovo.

Apply to be a Semovo sperm donor

If you’re aged 18-45, you may be able to donate sperm with us through our regional donation centres in Liverpool, Leeds or Manchester.

Apply online and we’ll arrange first steps including a thorough sperm and fertility check at your nearest Semovo clinic. Or chat to our friendly team on 0345 266 1272.

You can also learn more about the sperm donation process and about being a sperm donor in our regularly updated blog.