male semen test
An analysis of the male semen is used to determine if he is fertile or not. In order to determine the fertility, a semen analysis should be performed on a minimum of two samples at least a week apart over a period of 2-3 months. This is necessary because some conditions can affect the sperm levels. The analysis is also used after a man has undergone a vasectomy.
There are various semen tests. These include: Anti sperm Antibodies test which determines the presence of antibodies, which immobilize or kill the sperm and prevent them swimming up towards the egg. To detect the presence of these antibodies, it is necessary to test the blood of both partners, in the cervical mucus and in the seminal fluid. Several methods are available for performing this test, which is not easy to standardize. The best method that is available presently is one that uses immunobeads. It allows the determination of the location of the antibodies on the sperm surface.
The other test is Ion –a semen culture test where the semen is tested to find the presence of bacteria. Interpretation of this test hasn’t been east!
The other sperm tests are: Postcoital Test (PCT), which is performed when the wife is in the fertile period. The Bovine Cervical Mucus Test tests for the ability of the sperm to penetrate and swim through the cervical mucus. The Sperm Survival test provides vital information on the functioning potential of the sperm.
Morphology studies the size, shape and the appearance of the sperm cells. If abnormal sperm is present, there is a likelihood that the fertility is low.