What is Semen Analysis Test?: Purpose, Procedure & Results

What is Semen Analysis Test?: Purpose, Procedure & Results

When couples are trying to conceive, the semen analysis (also called a seminogram or simply a semen test) is often the very first lab investigation on the male side. It’s a straightforward test: a semen sample is examined under a microscope and by standardized lab methods to estimate sperm number, movement, shape, and several properties of the seminal fluid.

One report can’t tell you everything about fertility, but it can raise issues early and guide what to do next. Modern guidelines emphasize good sample collection, prompt delivery to the lab, and interpreting results against evidence-based decision limits and not as a pass/fail label.

If anything looks off, repeating the test after a short interval is common because semen quality naturally fluctuates.

What is a Semen Analysis Test?

A semen analysis test evaluates sperm number, movement (motility), shape (morphology), and the characteristics of the semen fluid to estimate the chance of natural conception and guide further care. It’s a regular procedure of the male fertility work-up and is also used to confirm success after a vasectomy.

Modern manuals group tests into basic (routine for all), extended (ordered in specific scenarios, e.g., white blood cell count or antisperm antibodies), and advanced (e.g., DNA fragmentation or oxidative stress) so clinicians can tailor what’s done to a person’s situation.

When Should You Go for Semen Analysis Test?

If you are wondering whether you need to get a semen analysis, these points can help you reach a decision:

• Infertility evaluation: Typically after 12 months of trying to conceive (or earlier if the female partner is ≥35 or there are known risk factors). The analysis helps identify male-factor contributors and whether additional tests are needed.
• After vasectomy: To check that sperm are no longer present or are only present as rare non-motile sperm, which corresponds to a very low pregnancy risk. Continued contraception is needed until a post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) confirms azoospermia or rare non-motile sperm.

How is a Semen Analysis Done?

Collection and handling matter as much as the microscope. Here’s what evidence-based guidance recommends:

• Abstinence: Avoid ejaculation for 2–7 days before the test. This standardizes the sample and maximizes count.
• How to collect: Masturbation into a sterile, wide-mouthed, non-toxic container is preferred. If masturbation isn’t acceptable, special non-spermicidal, non-latex collection condoms may be used during intercourse (check with the lab in advance). Do not use lubricants or saliva because many harm sperm.
• Hygiene: Wash and dry hands and penis before collection; don’t touch the inside of the container. If any portion is missed, tell the lab, don’t try to scrape or pour it in afterward.
• Timing & temperature: Deliver the sample within 30–60 minutes; keep it close to room temperature (about 20–27 °C) during transport. Temperature swings and delays change motility and other readings.
• Repeat testing: Because results vary from sample to sample, many clinicians repeat an abnormal test, and sometimes even a normal one, to confirm trends.

Standard Semen Analysis Report Includes:

• Volume (mL) and pH, plus visual properties (color, viscosity) and time to liquefaction (the gel-like semen normally thins into fluid within about 30–60 minutes).
• Sperm concentration (million/mL) and total sperm number (million/ejaculate).
• Total motility (%) and progressive motility (%) which is the proportion that swims forward, which matters most for reaching the egg. The latest manual again distinguishes rapid and slow progressive movement.
• Morphology (% with normal shape) using strict criteria.
• Vitality (% alive) when motility is low, to separate live-but-non-moving from dead sperm.
• White blood cells (WBCs); >1 million/mL suggests inflammation or infection (also called leukocytospermia/pyospermia) and may need evaluation and treatment.

Semen Analysis Test Procedure in the Laboratory

The process of semen analysis testing includes:

• Collection: On-site private room or at home (if allowed). If collecting at home, time the delivery to be within an hour and keep the container near room temperature.
• Macroscopic checks: Volume, pH, color/viscosity, and liquefaction (typically finished by 30–60 minutes).
• Microscopy & counts: Concentration and motility are measured promptly; morphology is read from stained slides using strict criteria; vitality may be added when motility is low.
• Quality control & reporting: Modern guidelines stress standardized methods and quality assurance to keep results reproducible.

What Do “Abnormal” Results Mean for Fertility?

They signal a lower probability, not an impossibility. A semen result below a WHO decision limit doesn’t automatically equal infertility. Many people with sub-reference values conceive, and many with “normal” values still need help due to other factors.

Your clinician may add blood tests (e.g., hormones), imaging (e.g., ultrasound), or genetic tests in specific scenarios (e.g., very low counts). Targeted treatment such as lifestyle changes, medications, procedures, or assisted reproduction, depends on the whole picture.

Criteria for semen analysis (How to Interpret “Normal Values”)

The World Health Organization (WHO) 6th edition (2021) kept the lower 5th percentile thresholds for key parameters based on men in couples who conceived within a year. Values around or below these limits may be associated with reduced odds of natural conception, but context matters (age, timing, female factors), and results should be interpreted by a clinician. Typical lower reference points are:

• Volume: 1.4 mL (previously 1.5 mL)
• Total sperm number: 39 million/ejaculate
• Total motility: 42%
• Progressive motility: 30%
• Vitality: 54%
• Morphology (strict): 4% normal forms

Other useful reference points commonly used in reports: pH &gte; 7.2 is considered normal; liquefaction generally occurs by &lte; 60 minutes. Many lab reports also display their in-house ranges (for example, pH 7.2–8.0).

Treatment Options for Low Sperm Count

Treatment for low sperm count, or oligospermia, depends on the underlying cause and can include hormone therapy to correct imbalances, antibiotics for infections, surgery to fix blockages, and assisted reproductive technologies like IVF with ICSI or IUI. Lifestyle changes such as improving diet, reducing stress, avoiding smoking, and limiting exposure to heat and toxins can also support fertility.

Medical and Surgical Treatments

• Hormone Therapy: If a hormonal imbalance is affecting sperm production, medications like gonadotropins (hCG, hMG) or Clomiphene citrate may be prescribed to stimulate sperm production.
• Antibiotics: If an infection in the reproductive tract is the cause of the low sperm count, antibiotics can clear the infection and potentially improve fertility.
• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct issues like varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum) or to address blockages in the reproductive tract, which can improve sperm count and motility.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

• IVF/ICSI: In vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a common option when sperm count is very low, as it involves a single sperm being injected directly into an egg.
• IUI: Intrauterine insemination involves processing and inserting concentrated sperm directly into the uterus near the time of ovulation, increasing the chances of fertilization.

Lifestyle Changes

• Incorporate foods rich in antioxidants, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids to support sperm health.
• Engage in regular, moderate exercise and aim for at least seven hours of quality sleep per night.
• Practice stress-reducing techniques like meditation or yoga to improve overall health and fertility.
• Quit smoking and vaping, avoid illicit drugs and anabolic steroids, and limit alcohol consumption.
• Reduce exposure to toxins and environmental disruptors.
• Avoid activities that cause overheating of the testicles, such as frequent hot tub use.

Post-Vasectomy Semen Analysis (PVSA)

A vasectomy isn’t instant sterility. Sperm gradually clears from the tract over weeks to months. A PVSA confirms success when it shows azoospermia or rare non-motile sperm (≤100,000/mL); until then, use backup contraception.

The first PVSA is commonly scheduled around 12 weeks, though timing varies, and more than one sample may be needed. The residual risk of pregnancy after a “clear” PVSA is very low (about 1 in 2,000).

At-home Semen Analysis Kits

Home kits can estimate count (and sometimes motility) and can be a private first look, but they don’t assess morphology, vitality, cells, or the full fluid properties. If you’re having trouble conceiving, a lab-based semen analysis remains the better choice to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Semen Analysis Test Price in India (INR)

Prices vary by city, lab brand, and whether you book a basic analysis or add-ons (e.g., DNA fragmentation). As of 2024–2025 listings:

• Basic semen analysis: commonly ₹300–₹900 in many metro and tier-2 cities (examples on aggregator and lab sites show quotes like ₹350, ₹450, ₹500, ₹550, ₹750, and ₹800).
• Add-on/extended tests (e.g., anti-sperm antibodies, cultures, DNA fragmentation): prices vary widely and can increase total costs to ₹1,500–₹3,000+ depending on the panel.

Check whether your plan covers diagnostic testing as some insurers reimburse the analysis itself even if they don’t cover treatment. Turnaround for a basic report is usually within 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is semen exactly?
Semen is a whitish fluid that carries sperm (the reproductive cells) along with secretions from accessory glands. The fluid nourishes, protects, and transports sperm after ejaculation. (Basic physiology summarized from standard references in andrology.)

How is semen analysis done?
You provide a sample, ideally by masturbation into a sterile container and after 2–7 days of abstinence. Deliver it within an hour, keep it near room temperature, and avoid lubricants. The lab then measures volume, pH, count, motility, shape, and other parameters.

How to read a semen analysis report quickly?
Start with abstinence days, time to analyze, volume, pH, then check concentration and total number, followed by progressive motility and morphology. Look for notes on vitality and WBCs if motility is low or inflammation is suspected.

How often should I repeat the test if it’s abnormal?
Your clinician may recommend a repeat in weeks to months, often aligning with the roughly 3-month sperm production cycle, or sooner if counts were very low/absent.

Is semen analysis covered by insurance?
Many plans reimburse diagnostic tests such as semen analysis; coverage for fertility treatment is more variable. Check your policy’s diagnostics clause.

How much does the semen analysis test cost in India?
Basic lab quotes commonly fall between ₹300 and ₹900, with city-to-city variation. Adding extended tests can raise the total into the ₹1,500–₹3,000+ range. Always confirm the current price with your chosen lab.

Conclusion

A semen analysis is simple to perform, but it’s powerful when collected correctly, analyzed by standardized methods, and interpreted in context. If something looks off, repeat the test, address reversible factors (collection errors, timing, illnesses), and review results with a clinician who can integrate them with partner factors and discuss next steps from lifestyle optimization to assisted reproduction when indicated. Done this way, the seminogram isn’t just numbers on a page; it’s a roadmap for sensible, stepwise decision-making.