Fertility Testing – Semen Analysis – a webinar

In this video presentation Dr Papathanasiou explains:

The provenance of the test (0:53) – The latest reference values were set by WHO in 2010 and represent the lowest 5% cut-off values of the sperm characteristics of ‘recent fathers’ (men who have achieved natural pregnancy in the last 12 months)

How a test result can be read – There is no single best way of ‘reading’ a SA report. As a rule of thumb, there are 3 semen characteristics which are clinically relevant:

• • Amount; as expressed by the total count in the ejaculate or concentration per ml
  • Motility; as expressed by the proportion of total motile or progressively motile sperm
  • Morphology; as expressed by the proportion of normal forms

What is ‘normal’ (2:33)

How many tests are required (4:38) – There is physiological variation in sperm numbers within the same individual. About 15-20% of men attending fertility clinics will have a low result in their first SA followed by a normal result in the second SA

Different approaches (5:15) – Discussion of the NICE Guidelines for Semen analysis and the Dutch Model

What to tell the patient

The limitations of semen analysis (SA) must be kept in mind when counselling couples, particularly when the results do indicate a potential male problem.

The SA compares the man’s sperm to the sperm of ‘recent fathers’. It does not confirm or refute the ability to achieve natural pregnancy; by definition, 5% of ‘recent fathers’ will have numbers lower than the reference values.

An abnormal SA is informative in that it confirms that a male factor is likely contributing to the couple’s subfertility. This finding may warrant lifestyle improvement interventions or further testing of the male partner to ascertain the best course of treatment.

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