semen analysis

I took a sample of my husbans sperm to the hospital today. It was just a dribble and he says thats all he had. By the time I got there and had to wait it was almost an hour and was cold. The lab said they would still try and test it. Can that small of an amount be tested accuratly? What about the other factors? I know that there is a lot more than that usually, did stress play a role in this? If the levels aren't where they should be what do they do to make them normal?

[Shayne Plosker, MD]

Even a small amount of sperm can be tested - only a drop under the microscope is all that is required. If the test comes back normal, and you know that he normally makes more, then I think you can be reassured. If the test is abnormal, that probably best to do another sperm count, but try to figure out what can be done to minimize the stress and get a good collection. You should abstain for 48h, but at the same time make sure he ejaculates at least 48h-72h before the test. The specimen should be collected by masturbation into a sterile collection vessel. It is OK to just keep the specimen at body temp if you can - we usually need to wait 30 minutes for the specimen to liquefy before evaluating so the hour it took to get to the lab is not a big deal at all. Good luck!

[beckz]

You can't tell how many good sperm there are just by the sample size.  The lab will analyze and see how many total sperm and how many "good" sperm (not deformed, actively swimming).  If the number is low, you will probably want to re-test to see if it was just a bad sample or if there really is a sperm count/quality problem.  Also, once you get the sample, you should keep it between your legs, or between your arm and your body the entire time -- anywhere that will keep it at body temperature.  And it should not sit for more than an hour.  A lab that makes you wait a full hour is doing you a disservice.  You may want to find an alternate place for the analysis.

[sweetdrda]

There are to things you should know.  My DH had a problem and we didnt know why.  He is young (under 30) He saw his urologist and found out that he had a vericosella (vericose vein in his groin area)  He had surgery for it (kinda like a hernea operation) and in the past year it has gotten much better. He also did a 3 month cycle of Clomid (25 grams for 25 days then off for 5 days) and that may have contributed to his increased sperm count as well.  So have those two checked out.  If it had been an hour it may be too long. If it comes out bad (low sperm count but good in the other areas ie... morphology, motility etc..)  I would just re-do the test.  But if all areas are low/bad I would have him checked by a urologist if you havent already.

[patrickair]

A related discussion, i want to know if my SEMEN ANALYSIS is normal... was started.