How To Test Male Infertility?

Male infertility testing is simple and routine one. Approximately 50% of infertility cases are due to male infertility.

In order to determine the male infertility factor, testing is very essential.

Semen analysis is the most common procedure used to determine male infertility factor.

Your sperm is collected into a specimen jar and tested under a microscope to evaluate the shape, count, mobility and appearance.

While evaluating the sperm count, your technician checks whether your sperm concentration is above or below 20 million sperm cells per milliliter of ejaculation fluid.

If the test results in low sperm count, then the specialist recommends for testing blood testosterone levels, LH, FSH and prolactin levels.

Sometimes, urine analysis is recommended for testing white blood cells that indicate an infection. If the specialist finds sperm in the urine, then it is a problem with your ejaculation and is known as retrograde ejaculation.

If all the above tests analysis is normal, then your specialist recommends tests for your partner before considering further evaluation of the man.

Here are some infertility tests with a brief description:

Hemizona assay: This laboratory test includes cutting a non-usable human egg into half. The aim of this procedure is to observe whether the sperm can enter into the outermost protecting layer of the egg.

Testicular biopsy: In this test, a piece of tissue is taken from the tubules in your testes and is tested to find out whether you are producing healthy sperm or not.

Ultrasonography: This test is used to find any damages or blockages in your reproductive tract, including seminal vesicles, ejaculatory ducts and prostate.

Sperm agglutination: This laboratory test helps to find whether the sperm are clumping together or not. Clumping stops the sperm from flowing the cervical mucus.

Acrosome recreation: It helps to determine whether the sperm heads can undergo through the chemical changes that are essential to dissolve an egg’s tough outer shell.

Vasography: It is an X-ray exam used to determine any blockages or leakages in the vas deferens.

Sperm penetration assay: It uses hamster eggs in order to assess your sperm ability to penetrate into the egg. But, it is a rarely used procedure.

Hypo-osmotic swelling: It uses a special type of salt and sugar solution to detect your sperm’s tail and its ability to penetrate into the egg. The healthy sperm’s tails gently swell in the solution, while abnormal or dead sperm can’t swell.