The number of sperm cells per millimeter (ml. or cc.). A normal number or count is greater than 20 million sperm cells/ml.

Volume

The amount of semen present after ejaculation.  A normal volume is between 2-6 mls.

Motility

The amount of sperm cells that are moving. A normal percentage of motile sperm is greater than 50.

Forward Progression

A sub-classification of motility is forward progression.  This refers to the number of motile sperm that display forward movement.  A normal value is greater than 50%.  Not all sperm cells in an ejaculate are motile and not all motile sperm have forward movement.

Morphology

This represents the size and shape or anatomy of the sperm cell.  A routine semen analysis with a normal morphology of greater than 60% is an acceptable result.

Quantitative Morphology

This test discriminates the sperms’ sizes and shapes in greater detail.  The test is useful in quantifying the percentage of normal vs. abnormal sperm cells.  The sperm that are normal in shape and size have the ability to fertilize and egg.

Sperm Survival
(ART Longevity)

This test evaluates the percentage of sperm that survive and are still motile over an extended period of time (18-24 hours). This test alerts the doctor and embryologist to those individuals whose sperm have compromised viability and/or motility.  The need for special sperm processing can be detected with this test.

Antisperm Antibodies

This tests for antibodies that may be present in the seminal fluid.  Antibodies may bind to the sperm, causing clumping of the sperm cells, affecting its motility and can be detrimental to successful reproductive function.

Post Coital Test

This is a microscopic evaluation of the woman’s mid-cycle cervical mucus after the couple has had intercourse.  It test for the compatability of the sperm with the cervical mucus.  The presence of more than 20 active sperm seen in clear cervical mucus is a normal finding.