Spermiogram

A spermiogram is an analysis of the male ejaculate that evaluates its certain characteristics. The aim is to evaluate male fertility or sperm quality.

Semen quality is assessed according to several criteria:

It is tested whether there are sufficient motile and normally shaped sperm (normozoospermia), whether there is a lack of sperm (oligozoospermia) or whether the sperm are not motile enough (asthenozoospermia). Teratozoospermia then refers to a reduced proportion of regularly shaped sperm. The assessment of sperm is based on the WHO 2010 (World Health Organization) reference values.

Reference values for a spermiogram according to WHO:

Normozoospermia: normal ejaculate parameters (quantity, motility and morphology of spermatozoa correspond to the reference values).

Oligozoospermia: decreased sperm concentration = too few sperm in the ejaculate (below 15 million/ml or total sperm count less than 39 million).

Asthenozoospermia: reduced motility of sperm = too few sperm with normal motility (less than 32%)Asthenozoospermia: reduced motility of sperm = too few sperm with normal motility (less than 32%)

Teratozoospermia: reduced proportion of sperm with normal morphology = too few normally shaped sperm (below 4 %)

Oligoastenoteratozoospermia: decreased concentration, motility, and morphology = too few sperm, too few normally motile and shaped sperm (OAT syndrome).

Cryptozoospermia: the presence of sperm can be detected only after centrifugation (below 1 million sperm/ml).

Azoospermia: no sperm in the ejaculate

Necrozoospermia: no motile sperm in the ejaculate

Parvisemia: insufficient ejaculate volume (less than 1.5 ml)

Improve sperm quality: What can you do?

Do not smoke: Sperm is also affected by smoking habits. Sperm from smokers are not only 20% less motile than sperm from non-smokers, but also much more susceptible to mutations and chromosomal defects. There are also fewer sperm in the ejaculate of smokers.

Limit alcohol consumption or abstain from alcohol altogether: Regular alcohol consumption affects testosterone production and can also impair sperm maturation.

Sit little: Standing up occasionally while working can improve sperm quality. Sitting heats up the sperm because the testicles are close to the body and are constricted in this posture.

Reducing stress levels: Chronic stress disrupts hormone balance and causes prolactin production to increase. This hormone interferes with sperm production, and its long-term influence can lead to loss of libido and sometimes even erectile dysfunction.

Watch out for active ingredients in medications: Some active ingredients can have a negative effect on sperm count and quality. This also applies to over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen. Regular use of this medicine (600 mg daily) can lead to a decrease in serum levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH).