While infertility is often associated with the female reproductive system, a male fertility test can be equally important in determining why a couple is having trouble conceiving. In fact, in up to one third of cases, “male factor infertility” may be the cause of the difficulty, and in another one third of cases, it may account for at least part of the problem.
The most common male fertility test is semen analysis in which a sample of semen is examined under a microscope and evaluated to determine whether there are enough healthy sperm present. When semen analysis is performed, several factors are evaluated. These include the number of live sperm, measured in millions per milliliter, the volume of seminal fluid in the ejaculate, and the motility, or ability of the sperm to move in a straight line.
The size and shape of sperm is also examined, and semen is tested for the presence of white blood cells, which may indicate the presence of an infection.
To be considered fertile, a man must produce an adequate amount of healthy sperm that are capable of swimming in a straight line in order to meet and fertilize an ovum (egg). A normal male fertility test is one in which at least 20 million sperm per milliliter are present and at least 50% of those sperm are able to move forward in a straight line. In addition, at least 14% of sperm must be deemed “highly normal forms”, an assessment of size and shape that is made using very strict criteria. There also should be no more than five white blood cells visible in the microscopic field to ensure that there is no infection interfering with conception.
While many male fertility tests are still done by examining sperm samples under a microscope, the computer age has brought more state of the art tests into use. Sperm analysis can now be done down to the level of DNA, and computerized semen analysis uses advanced computer imaging techniques for more precise analysis. In addition, over the counter home tests for sperm count are available for men who want to take a fertility test in the privacy of their own homes. While home tests only measure sperm count and do not test for any of the other factors that may decrease fertility, they are useful because low sperm count is the most common reason for male factor infertility.
If a male fertility test determines a mild level of male infertility, there are few steps that can be taken to achieve pregnancy. Visit fertility test for men to learn more about your options.
Pat Welch is an editor at herbal-alternative-remedies.com For more information on male fertility and fertility tests visit: male fertility test.
To learn about men’s sexual health visit: natural men’s sexual health.
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