How to Measure Male Fertility
Men are not biologically bound to specific ages to measure fertility. However, semen quality starts declining after the age of 50, even though conception is still possible.¹
For this reason, it is recommended not to delay fatherhood and to seek guidance from a fertility specialist.
In this blog, we’ll explore the key aspects of male fertility to provide a deeper understanding, especially for those considering a reproductive medicine treatment.²
How Is Male Fertility Determined?
A urologist is responsible for conducting an external examination and ordering specific clinical tests to evaluate the patient internally as well.²
- Physical Examination
- Sexual organs are inspected for abnormalities or malformations in the testicles and semen during ejaculation.⁴
The following assessments may be conducted: - Measuring weight and height.
- Examining the abdomen and groin.
- Inspecting the penis and prostate.
- Evaluating the size and consistency of the testicles.
- Conducting a testicular ultrasound.
- Sexual organs are inspected for abnormalities or malformations in the testicles and semen during ejaculation.⁴
- Semen Analysis (Spermatobioscopy)
- This test determines the quality of semen through a sample collected after 3-5 days of abstinence.³
Key Parameters of Semen Analysis
Microscopic Analysis
The following parameters are analyzed:
- Volume: The normal volume of ejaculate is between 2 and 4 mL. However, this may vary based on abstinence, stress, and other factors.⁵
- Concentration: A sample is considered normal if it contains 16-20 million sperm per milliliter. Lower levels indicate reduced fertility.
- Morphology: Sperm should have a proportional shape. Abnormalities, such as very small or large heads, double tails, or deformities, can reduce quality.
- Motility: Evaluates the sperm’s ability to move—speed, direction, and progression are assessed.⁶
- Presence of leukocytes: Indicates potential infections or inflammation.
Macroscopic Analysis
The external characteristics of the semen sample are also assessed:
- Liquefaction: After the sample is taken, it should liquefy naturally within 20 minutes to facilitate sperm movement in the vagina.⁷
- Color: Normal semen is white or grayish-yellow. Abnormal colors may indicate diet, abstinence, or prostate inflammation.⁸
- Viscosity: The sample should flow easily, forming threads or drops of at least 2 cm to support movement from the uterus to the Fallopian tubes.⁹
- pH: Normal pH levels range from 7.2 to 8.0. Values outside this range may indicate issues.¹⁰
Additional Tests
- Hormonal Analysis: If difficulties persist and initial tests reveal no issues, hormonal levels, such as testosterone, can be evaluated via blood samples.¹¹
- FISH Test (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization): Examines sperm chromosomes for abnormalities.¹²
- Sperm DNA Fragmentation Test: Measures DNA integrity in sperm; high fragmentation levels increase infertility risk.
- Seminal Culture: Detects microorganisms causing infections.¹³
At UR-Crea, we focus on identifying the reasons behind infertility and providing precise diagnoses through comprehensive testing, offering personalized treatment options for every case.
About UR-Crea:
At UR-Crea Reproductive Medicine, we have over 30 years of experience offering treatments such as in vitro fertilization, ovarian rejuvenation, egg donation, and the ROPA method.
We follow personalized diagnostic protocols with a multidisciplinary team of specialists in gynecology, reproductive biology, embryology, perinatology, anesthesiology, and nursing.
We turn dreams of parenthood into reality with ethical, professional, and human-centered care. Visit us to learn more!
References:
- Reproducción asistida. How the seminogram results and its values are interpreted? [Internet] Consulted in October 2024. Available at: https://www.reproduccionasistida.org/resultados-de-seminograma/
- Fertypharm. Male fertility, What is it and how is it measured? [Internet] Consulted in October 2024. Available at: fertypharm.com/blog/fertilidad-masculina-que-es-y-como-se-mide/?srsltid=AfmBOopZHAYDaSM8Dl57QnAKKyX-oNU2FwVeOB6IsaPD9e9DF8FS9tbo
- Reproducción asistida. Male fertility test: What are the options and how are applied? [Internet] Consulted in October 2024. Available at: https://www.reproduccionasistida.org/pruebas-en-la-infertilidad-masculina/#:~:text=En%20el%20caso%20del%20hombre,FISH%20de%20espematozoides%20entre%20otros.
- UR-Crea Webpage. Male fertility treatment. [Internet] Consulted in October 2024. Available at: https://ur-crea.mx/tratamiento/infertilidad-masculina/
- Blog UR-crea. Male fertility symptoms. [Internet] Consulted in October 2024. Available at: https://ur-crea.mx/2024/05/23/sintomas-de-infertilidad-en-hombres-blog-ur-crea/
- Reproducción asistida. Sperm movement analysis [Internet] Consulted in October 2024. Available at: https://www.reproduccionasistida.org/analisis-de-la-movilidad-de-los-espermatozoides/caracteristicas-de-la-movilidad-de-los-espermatozoides/#:~:text=La%20movilidad%20esperm%C3%A1tica%20es%20un,movimiento%2C%20que%20debe%20ser%20rectil%C3%ADnea.
- Reproducción asistida. What is liquefaction? [Internet] Consulted in October 2024. Available at: https://www.reproduccionasistida.org/licuefaccion/#:~:text=La%20licuefacci%C3%B3n%20es%20un%20par%C3%A1metro,alteraciones%20en%20la%20movilidad%20esperm%C3%A1tica.
- Mayo clinic. Discolored Semen [Internet] Consulted in October 2024. Available at: www.mayoclinic.org/es/discolored-semen/expert-answers/faq-20058363#:~:text=El%20semen%20es%20normalmente%20de,Semen%20rojo.
- Reproducción asistida. Is it possible consider normozoospermia if viscosity is it raising? [Internet] Consulted in October 2024. Available at: https://www.reproduccionasistida.org/faqs/es-posible-considerar-normozoospermia-si-la-viscosidad-esta-aumentada/#:~:text=La%20viscosidad%20es%20un%20par%C3%A1metro,eso%2C%20debe%20tenerse%20en%20cuenta.
- Vázquez F. Spermogram and its clinical uses. Salud Uninorte. 2007;23(2):220-230 http://www.scielo.org.co/pdf/sun/v23n2/v23n2a09.pdf
- Medline plus. Semen analysis [Internet] Consulted in October 2024. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/003627.htm#:~:text=Resultados%20normales&text=El%20volumen%20normal%20var%C3%ADa%20de,normal%20hacia%20adelante%20(motilidad).
- Reproducción asistida. sperm fragmentation test and FISH.[Internet] Consulted in October 2024. Available at: https://www.reproduccionasistida.org/faqs/es-lo-mismo-test-de-fragmentacion-espermatica-y-fish/
- Multilab. Semen culture. [Internet] Consulted in October 2024. Available at https://www.multilab.com.pe/examen/604/cultivo-semen-espermocultivo#:~:text=En%20el%20cultivo%20de%20semen,valorar%20probables%20problemas%20de%20fertilidad.
