News Title

Semen Analysis – Male Infertility Assessment

28 Jun

Author: Dr.sc. Pavle Romac
28.06.2026

Semen Analysis – Male Infertility Assessment

A semen analysis is a fundamental test for assessing male fertility and helps determine the next steps in a couple’s fertility treatment. Learn how to prepare for the analysis, understand the results, and find out when further testing or treatment may be needed.

Semen analysis at Cito Polyclinic

A semen analysis (spermiogram) is an analysis of the ejaculate that determines the total number, concentration, motility and appearance (morphology) of the sperm.

At Cito Polyclinic the analysis is performed with the SCA Microptics CASA system, which allows an accurate and automated assessment of the following semen parameters: motility, concentration, morphology, DNA fragmentation, vitality, the acrosome reaction and the number of round cells (spermatogenesis cells and leukocytes).

It is important to stress that a normal semen analysis does not guarantee fertility, just as a poor semen analysis does not mean that pregnancy is not possible. The findings are always assessed together with the clinical picture, hormone results and the couple's reproductive history.

When should a semen analysis be done?

A semen analysis is done:

if pregnancy has not occurred after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse
after 6 months of trying if the female partner is older than 35
when a male factor of infertility is suspected
after varicocele surgery
after a urological or andrological recommendation

The male factor is involved in approximately 40–50 % of cases of infertility in couples, which is why a semen analysis is one of the first tests that should be done.

Preparing to give a semen sample?

According to the guidelines of the WHO (World Health Organization), in order to obtain reliable results from a semen analysis, the following is required:

1. Abstinence

Sexual abstinence for 2–3 days

2. Temperature

Avoid raised temperature and the sauna for a few days before the test

3. Alcohol

Avoid larger amounts of alcohol immediately before testing

4. Medicines

Inform the doctor about the medicines you take

5. Collecting the sample

The sample is given by masturbation into a sterile container, at the polyclinic or at home.

If the sample is given at home, it must be delivered to the laboratory within one hour, kept at approximately body temperature.

Which parameters are assessed?

The semen analysis includes assessment of

After the sample is given, various semen parameters will be determined in the laboratory using computer-assisted analysis, with the aim of obtaining the best possible assessment of fertilising potential.

At Cito Polyclinic the analysis is carried out using the SCA Microptics CASA system, which allows additional assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation, vitality, the acrosome reaction and other advanced parameters.

ejaculate volume
sperm concentration
total sperm count
sperm motility
sperm morphology
sperm vitality
pH value
the presence of leukocytes
the presence of agglutination

Reference values according to WHO guidelines

Values below the reference limits do not automatically mean infertility, but they can reduce the likelihood of spontaneous pregnancy.

Parameter	Reference value
Volume	≥1.4 ml
Concentration	≥16 million/ml
Total sperm count	≥39 million
Total motility	≥42 %
Progressive motility	≥30 %
Vitality	≥54 %
Normal morphology	≥4 %
pH	≥7.2

How are semen analysis results interpreted?

Based on the results of the semen analysis, the following conditions can be identified:

Normozoospermia

The findings show a normal number, motility and morphology of sperm.

Aspermia

Complete absence of ejaculate after orgasm.

Azoospermia

Complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate.

Cryptozoospermia

A very small number of sperm that can only be found after the sample is centrifuged.

Hypospermia

A reduced volume of ejaculate

Oligozoospermia

A reduced number of sperm in the sample

Asthenozoospermia

Reduced sperm motility

Teratozoospermia

An increased proportion of sperm of abnormal shape.

Necrozoospermia

The presence of predominantly or exclusively dead sperm.

In practice, combined disorders are often encountered, such as oligoasthenozoospermia or oligoastheno-teratozoospermia

Contact us

Polyclinic Cito