Spermiogram: when to do it and what it is for
Once upon a time, when a couple could not have children, it was taken for granted that the problem came from the woman. Fortunately, science has shown that sometimes difficulty conceiving are attributable to man, and for this reason when starting a path to check why a child does not arrive, the man also undergoes tests, including him spermiogram. Here's how it works and what it's for.
In this article
- Difficulty conceiving: a relationship problem
- Male infertility
- What is the spermiogram
- How the spermiogram is done
- Why do the spermiogram
Difficulty conceiving: a relationship problem
As we said, the difficulty conceiving they can be caused by women, men or both. For this, when after several months of targeted attempts (sometimes even two years) the baby does not come, the future Parents undergo a series of exams to understand what the problem is and how to solve it, in order to deal with it medically.
Read also: Diagnostic tests to discover the causes of infertility
Male infertility
male infertility we therefore mean a reduced ability to fertilize an oocyte, and therefore to reproduce, due to a deficit of spermatozoa. This deficit can be traced back to insufficient sperm production, but also to anomalies present in the spermatozoa themselves. For this, when investigating the reasons for the failure to conceive, the man is subjected to spermiogram and spermioculture.
Also read: Azoospermia is only one of the causes of male infertility
What is the spermiogram
Lo spermiogram is therefore the examination of seminal fluid, which is not just the volume sperm, but also theirs quality. A man can indeed produce a considerable number of spermatozoa, but these can have problems motility or even be carriers of genetic abnormalities. They are then analyzed with the spermiogram chemical-physical qualities as:
- il volume, to check if the values are normal and if you are not confronted with ipoposia (low volume, under 1,5ml) or conversely a iperposia (high volume, above 5ml);
- il ph, which is usually basic, between 7,5 and 8
- il colore, transparent, milky or grayish
- la fluidification, to check for the presence of clots after ejaculation, essential to be able to pass through the cervical mucus
- la viscosity, that is the ability of the sperm to fall "drip"
Lo spermiogram however, it allows us to analyze it sperm also from a point of view microscopic, thus allowing to examine:
- la concentration spermatozoa
- their motility
- la morphology, that is, if they consist of a normal head, neck and tail
- the possible presence of infections
How the spermiogram is done
Lo spermiogram it's a exam simple and non-invasive, unfortunately the opposite of many other tests involving women. The outcome obviously depends on the collection, which must be done correctly, following the rules. You should practice abstinence in the previous days (for 2-6 days) and suspend any intake of drugs. The sample should preferably be collected in the laboratory, through masturbation and in sterile containers, to be delivered immediately for analysis.
Why do the spermiogram
As we said, it is spermiogram it's a exam fundamental to investigate the why of a failure to conceive of the couple. Among the results that can arise from this type of investigation, there are:
- oligozoospermia: spermatozoa are few compared to seminal fluid
- azoospermia: spermatozoa are completely absent
- oligoastenozoospermia: both concentration and motility are not sufficient
- asthenoospermia: reduced sperm motility
- teratozoospermia: most of the spermatozoa have an abnormal morphology
- oligoastenoteratoospermia: all parameters are altered, therefore volume, motility and morphology
- cryptozoospermia: spermatozoa are absent in the ejaculate but are present in the centrifugate
- ipoposia: low seminal fluid
The spermiogram is therefore essential to understand if the man produces enough spermatozoa, if these are capable of reach the ovaries and if theirs crafts it's regular. All variables that can help you understand why you can't conceive.
The examination of the seminal fluid it is useful to understand even if there are others diseases current, infection or inflammation that could compromise the conception. Sometimes one is enough drug treatment to solve the problem, at other times it is necessary to resort to assisted fertilization techniques.
SOURCES
Pathologies of spermatozoa
Spermiogram: techniques, interpretation, and prognostic value of results
TAG:
- infertility
- infertility exams
