Patient's question:
Hello doctor, I want to ask which department is responsible for checking sperm quality? We have been trying to conceive for more than half a year, but still haven't been able to get pregnant. My wife has already gone to the hospital once, but nothing has been found. Now I want to go to the hospital to check my semen, but I don't know how to do it, so I want to ask. Which department is responsible for checking sperm quality?Doctor's answer:
Sperm health is the most direct blow to men, especially directly affecting their fertility. Therefore, people in daily life pay great attention to understanding the health status of sperm and semen in men. Routine examination is the most important part of semen analysis, generally including aspects such as semen color, semen volume, semen liquefaction time, sperm density, sperm survival rate within one hour, sperm motility, percentage of abnormal sperm, and the number of white blood cells in semen.Semen Color: Normal semen is transparent and grayish-white. If the abstinence period is long, it may appear light yellow. When there is inflammation in the reproductive tract, it may turn yellow, or even blood may be present in the semen.
Semen Liquefaction Time: Immediately after ejaculation, semen is in a gel-like state and turns into a liquid state within 5 to 30 minutes. This process is called liquefaction.
Acidity and Alkalinity of Semen: Semen is slightly alkaline, with a pH value between 7.2 and 7.8. If pH < 7, it is acidic, and if pH > 8, it is alkaline, both of which can limit sperm function.
Sperm Density: Sperm density refers to the number of sperm per milliliter of semen. A normal sperm count is more than 20 million per milliliter. If it is less than 20 million/mL, it is considered oligospermia, which can affect fertility.
Sperm Motility: Sperm motility is divided into four grades:
- Grade A: Rapid linear forward movement
- Grade B: Slow forward movement
- Grade C: Localized oscillation
- Grade D: No movement
Normal sperm motility requires at least 25% Grade A sperm or at least 50% of Grade A and B sperm. If it is below the normal range, it is considered low sperm motility.
Percentage of Abnormal Sperm: Abnormal sperm refers to sperm with abnormal morphology, and its percentage should be below 30%. If the abnormal rate exceeds 30%, it is considered abnormal and may affect fertility.
Semen Biochemical Examination: In hospitals with the necessary conditions, doctors may also ask patients to undergo semen biochemical examination. In such cases, professional treatment is recommended after a comprehensive examination to confirm the cause and then provide symptomatic treatment. It is advisable to quit smoking and drinking, avoid staying up late, and avoid prolonged sitting in daily life.