Sperm & Semen Analysis

A semen analysis — also called a sperm analysis or seminogram — is a laboratory test that examines a fresh sample of semen to assess male fertility. It is usually the first investigation offered when a couple is having difficulty conceiving, because it is simple, non-invasive and highly informative.

Rather than producing a single pass-or-fail number, the test builds a picture across several qualities of the sperm and the fluid that carries them. Together these parameters indicate how likely the sperm are to reach and fertilise an egg.

• Sperm concentration and total sperm count — how many sperm are present
• Motility — the proportion of sperm that move, and how well they swim forward (progressive motility)
• Morphology — the proportion of sperm with a normal shape
• Semen volume and pH — the amount and acidity of the fluid
• Liquefaction time — how quickly the sample changes from a gel to a liquid
• Vitality — the proportion of sperm that are alive

Laboratories compare your results against the lower reference limits published in the World Health Organization's Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen. The most recent sixth edition (2021) sets these limits at the 5th centile of men who fathered a child within 12 months of trying.

It helps to read these figures in context. A result below a reference limit does not mean a man is infertile, and a result above every limit does not guarantee an easy conception — the values describe likelihood across a population, not certainty for any one individual.

• Semen volume: 1.4 mL or more
• Total motility: 42% or more
• Progressive motility: 30% or more
• Normal morphology: 4% or more

Preparation matters, because a few simple factors can meaningfully change your result. The most important is the abstinence period: you should avoid ejaculating for between two and seven days before giving your sample. Too short a gap can lower the count, while too long can reduce motility.

The sample is produced by masturbation, ideally in a private room at the clinic so it can be examined quickly. If you collect it at home, keep the container close to body temperature and deliver it to the laboratory within about an hour. Collect the entire ejaculate, as the first portion often contains the most sperm, and avoid lubricants or saliva, which can affect the reading.

Let the clinic know if you have had a fever or a significant illness in the previous few weeks. Because sperm take around two to three months to develop, a recent temperature or infection can temporarily lower your results, and sharing this context helps with interpretation.

If one or more values fall below the reference limits, the laboratory will describe the pattern using standard medical terms. These can sound alarming, but they are simply descriptive, and many of the underlying causes are treatable or manageable.

Sperm quality naturally fluctuates from week to week, so a single abnormal result is rarely the whole story. NICE recommends confirming an abnormal test with a repeat sample around three months later — long enough for a fresh cycle of sperm production — although a repeat may be arranged sooner if no sperm are found. A broader assessment through male fertility screening can then explore the hormonal, lifestyle or physical factors behind a result.

• Oligozoospermia — a lower-than-expected sperm concentration
• Teratozoospermia — a higher proportion of abnormally shaped sperm
• Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia — a combination of low count, poor motility and abnormal shape
• Asthenozoospermia — reduced sperm motility
• Azoospermia — no sperm found in the ejaculate

An abnormal result is a starting point, not a verdict. Lifestyle changes — stopping smoking, moderating alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress — can all improve sperm quality over time, and specific medical causes can often be addressed with the right support.

At London Pregnancy Clinic we can arrange semen analysis alongside a wider male fertility screening package, or as part of a couples-focused fertility health check-up that looks at both partners together. If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for a year or more — or six months if the female partner is 36 or older — this is a sensible point to seek assessment.

This information is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional, such as your GP, for guidance specific to your individual circumstances.