Spermiogram: what is it, how is it performed, and what is it for?

• The main reason for performing a seminogram or spermiogram is to determine whether or not male infertility exists.
• In addition, the spermiogram is often performed to determine the success of surgeries such as varicocele or vasectomy.
• Before the spermiogram test, it is necessary to follow a series of guidelines in order to perform it under optimal conditions.

The so-called spermiogram or seminogram is the test performed to determine whether or not male infertility exists. It is the most frequent method of diagnosis when a couple suffers sterility problems, as most of these problems are caused by the male partner, and the spermiogram is one of the simplest methods of diagnosing infertility.

This test consists of taking a sperm (semen) sample using the masturbation method. The patient must follow a series of medical indications before taking the sample so that it is not contaminated and is valid. 

Each specialist will indicate the parameters that the patient must follow in each case, but the most common requirement is that the ejaculation must be complete, the patient must not have had sex for at least 48 hours and at most seven days before the test, must not have applied ointments or ointments for 8 hours prior to taking the sample, must not have suffered from fever or any illness in the weeks prior to the test and must not have consumed drugs.

Once the semen sample has been placed in a sterilised bottle, it must be analysed in the laboratory within two hours of ejaculation for the results to be valid and reliable. 

In this analysis, both the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the spermatozoa are analysed: at the macroscopic level, the volume of the semen, its colour, viscosity and pH are analysed. At the microscopic level, concentration, motility, vitality and morphology are measured.

Possible results

The results are standardised by the World Health Organisation, and are considered normal when the semen volume is between 2 and 6 millilitres, for the indicated period of sexual abstinence, when the sperm concentration exceeds 15 million, progressive sperm motility is around 35% or higher, vitality exceeds 75% and pH is between 7.2 and 8.1.

There are quick tests for male infertility, which can be purchased and used at home, although a visit to a specialist is recommended to ensure a reliable and completely accurate sample.

Similarly, there are also certain dietary supplements, such as L-arginine and maca roots, which help to correct some of the sperm problems, such as sperm morphology, quantity and motility. L-arginine has also been used for a long time for its good results in erectile dysfunction.

The spermiogram or semen analysis is commonly used to determine whether certain surgeries have been successful or unsuccessful. Two of the surgeries in which spermiogram or semen analysis is most commonly used are varicocele and vasectomy surgeries:

Spermiogram in varicocele surgery

Varicocele is a pathology associated with the testicle that involves a considerable reduction in the blood supply to the testicle. Due to this loss of blood supply, the testicle progressively atrophies and can lead to problems associated with spermatogenesis, or sperm formation, causing infertility in men.

After varicocele repair surgery, provided it has been carried out due to possible infertility, a spermiogram is performed after a few months to compare whether there has been an increase in sperm count, the treatment being successful in these cases if the number of sperm has increased.

Spermiogram after vasectomy surgery

As everyone knows, vasectomy is the sectioning of the vas deferens in the male reproductive system, thus preventing the sperm formed in the testicles from joining the seminal fluid. This results in male infertility. In this case, a seminogram or spermiogram is used to determine the success of the operation. During the following 2 or 3 months, one or two spermiograms are performed and two negative spermiograms are required to certify that everything has gone well.