From the Guidelines
A normal semen analysis typically shows the following parameters: semen volume of at least 1.4 mL, total sperm number of at least 39 million per ejaculate, sperm concentration of at least 16 million/mL, vitality of at least 54% live, progressive motility of at least 30%, total motility of at least 42%, and morphologically normal forms of at least 4.0%. These values represent the lower reference limits established by the World Health Organization, as reported in the most recent guideline updates 1. Semen analysis is a key diagnostic test for male fertility assessment, providing important information about sperm production and quality. Results can vary based on factors like abstinence period, recent illness, medication use, and lifestyle factors such as smoking or alcohol consumption. If values fall below these parameters, it doesn't necessarily indicate infertility but may suggest reduced fertility potential.
- The parameters of a normal semen analysis include:
- Semen volume: at least 1.4 mL
- Total sperm number: at least 39 million per ejaculate
- Sperm concentration: at least 16 million/mL
- Vitality: at least 54% live
- Progressive motility: at least 30%
- Total motility: at least 42%
- Morphologically normal forms: at least 4.0%
- It is essential to note that these values are based on the analysis of semen samples from 3589 males from 12 countries and 5 continents, as reported in the study 1.
- The study also highlights the importance of considering other factors that may affect semen quality, such as varicocele, ejaculatory duct obstruction, and genetic abnormalities, as discussed in the guideline updates 1.
- In cases where semen analysis shows abnormal parameters, further evaluation and testing may be necessary to determine the underlying cause of infertility, as recommended in the guideline updates 1.
From the Research
Parameters of a Normal Semen Analysis
The parameters of a normal semen analysis are not fully defined in the provided studies, but some information can be gathered from the available evidence.
- Sperm concentration: According to 2, several recent studies have shown that the fecundity of a man decreases progressively with sperm concentrations below 40 million spermatozoa per mL.
- The World Health Organization guidelines for semen analysis recommend a lower cutoff value for normal sperm concentration of 15 million spermatozoa per mL, although this is considered too low by some studies 2.
- Sperm motility and morphology: The study 3 mentions that after treatment, the average motility in the progressive motility group was below 8%, and most of the sperm were completely deformed (<1%). However, this study does not provide information on the normal ranges for these parameters.
Limitations of the Available Evidence
The available studies do not provide a comprehensive definition of the parameters of a normal semen analysis.