If you suspect that you are sub fertile, you should be aware that infertility is a “couple’s problem”. Convincing data supports the assertion that approximately half of all infertile couples have a male component. The male semen analysis is one of the most important infertility tests and should be done early in the course of your infertility evaluation.

Your partner may have a normal semen volume and still be sub fertile. Viable sperm must be produced in his testicles, transported through the vas deferens past the prostate gland, through the urethra, and ejaculated out the penis. Once deposited in the vagina, they must swim through the cervical mucus, past the cervix, and into the uterus. Sperm must attach to and penetrate an egg to cause fertilization.

The semen analysis examines many factors according to the Kruger Strict Criteria or the World Health Organization Criteria. In general, the semen analysis includes:

• Volume of sperm in the ejaculate- the normal value is more than 20 million sperm/milliliter.
• Motility (ability to swim)-More than 50% should be actively motile (moving)
• More than 14% normal forms- the heads and tails are properly shaped.
• Less than 5 white blood cells per high power microscope field. More could indicate infection.
• Other characteristics, such as viscosity, are also evaluated.

The time required for sperm cells to develop to maturity is three months. A semen analysis done today reflects the conditions affecting sperm development three months ago. For example, the scrotum performs the vital function of controlling the temperature of the testicles. If the temperature of the testicles needs to be lowered the scrotum expands moving them further away from the body. The reverse happens when the temperature of the testicles needs to be increased.

Occupation can have a negative impact of sperm quality, as could be the case with a long distance truck driver. Since he remains sitting for long periods of time, the scrotum cannot perform its cooling function. A semen analysis done on this man today may be low because of conditions that existed three months ago. This is true for other factors that can affect sperm count including high fever and/or infection, environmental toxins, alcohol, heavy metal exposure, smoking, etc. Conversely, actions taken today to correct the problem will not yield improvement for three months.